Controlled explosion of chemical takes place at school in Shrewsbury
A controlled explosion took place at Shrewsbury High School today, following a Government warning over a laboratory chemical that can explode if not stored correctly.
Police assisted Explosive Ordnance Disposal officers who carried out the controlled explosion.
It comes after a reminder was sent to schools by the Department of Education over how certain chemicals should be stored.
A chemical, known as 2,4-DNP, is used in chemistry lessons and can become dangerous if it is allowed to dry out.
It is supposed to be stored in a labelled jar which is then kept inside an outer jar topped up with water as a precaution.
An advisory note recently issued to schools said Cleapss had “recently received a number of calls regarding the chemical”.
And a warning on the Cleapss website read: “If there is no water in the outer container or the reagent bottle has not been placed inside an additional container you must assume that the material has dried out, meaning that an additional risk is present.”
Last month residents of Wem took to social media after Thomas Adams School carried out a similar explosion.
Local residents complained that some warning should have been given due to the loud noise, especially as it was Halloween and many children were out with families trick or treating and attending parties.
