Children taken to hospital after reports of chemical spill

Police, fire crews and the ambulance service were in action at the weekend after a reported chemical spill in West Lothian.

A police spokesperson confirmed that four children had been taken to hospital after coming into contact with waste materials outside a dentist surgery in Market Place, Whitburn. Police later confirmed however that there was in fact no spillage, but the children had in fact come into contact with chemical residue from waste products at the rear of the surgery.

The Scottish ambulance service attended the scene after being called by the fire brigade and arrived with four specialist vehicles alongside two regular ambulances, a spokesperson for the service stated:

"There was a report of a chemical spillage,"

A spokesperson for the Lothian and Borders Fire and rescue service stated:

"Four children and one adult were taken to St John's Hospital. Two pumps and other specialist vehicles were sent to the scene. They cleared up the spillage."

A Lothian police spokesperson reported:

"Ambulance and fire and rescue services were in attendance and the four children were taken, purely as a precautionary measure, to St Johns Hospital in Livingston. They were shortly thereafter reunited with their parents. No medical treatment was required.

"Police are carrying out follow up inquiries."