Specialist engineers were called to a storage warehouse in Shropshire after it was discovered a dangerous gas was leaking into the atmosphere.

Firefighters were called to the Grocontinental warehouse in Whitchurch yesterday after neighbours reported seeing smoke coming from the roof.

They discovered that the vapour escaping from the roof was Freon gas, which is used in the fridges and freezers.

Sub officer Mike Beach, from Whitchurch Fire Station, said today maintenance electricians and engineers were called to the warehouse as soon as it was discovered the gas, which is an irritant, was leaking.

“We got up into the warehouse and we found there was a pipe leaking and it was Freon gas venting out into the atmosphere,” he said.

“Freon gas can be dangerous if it is on fire, and it can be dangerous if you get it on yourself.

“If you get it on your skin you’re supposed to wash it off straight away because it is an irritant.”

Fire officers remained on the scene from shortly before 10am to about 11am, while the pipe was isolated and the leak fixed.

Mr Beach said the incident could have been even more dangerous if ammonia, another gas used at the warehouse had been leaking. No-one was available from Grocontinental to comment.