Funeral Parlour in Chemical Scare

28 January 2011, 16:52 | Updated: 10 February 2011, 15:39

A funeral parlour had to be evacuated after a chemical scare.

Police cordoned off the road outside as they carried out an investigation into the leak of what they described as a potentially noxious substance inside the building.

Staff at Phillips Funeral Parlour in Alma Road in St Albans were asked to leave the building.

Specialist officers from the Herts Fire & Rescue Service were called to the scene, along with ambulance staff.

A spokeswoman for Herts Police said as a precautionary measure officers were entering the property wearing protective clothing.

The spokeswoman added:  "At this time, there is believed to be no direct risk to members of the public."

The entire length of Alma Road has been closed to traffic between Victoria Street and London Road.