THE death of a man following a chemical incident is not being treated as suspicious, police have confirmed.

Officers are investigating events leading up to death of the man, who was in his 40s, at a property on Ashdon Road last night (Thursday February 14).

Police were called at around 7.15pm and a full response by the emergency services was launched with fire crews from Saffron Walden, Harlow and Stansted, as well as an ambulance, attending.

Essex Fire and Rescue Service’s Detection, Identification and Monitoring (DIM) Vehicle confirmed that an amount of Sodium Azide had been released in the property.

Firefighters in gas tight suits assisted police officers and ambulance crews in recovering the man’s body, and a full decontamination unit with showers was established.

But fears that other people had been contaminated proved unfounded.

“Due to information about the possibility of noxious substances within the premises, there was a full response of the emergency services. However, this was just a precaution,” a spokeswoman for Essex Police added.

The incident has been referred to the coroner’s office.