Residents of a west London neighbourhood were evacuated last night after a cleaner discovered material suspected to be radioactive while clearing out a property in Hammersmith.
Discovery of Suspected Radioactive Material
The incident occurred on Bentworth Road, less than 100 yards from a primary school. A private cleaning company, tasked with clearing out the semi-detached home of two elderly hoarders, made the alarming discovery.
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The cleaner, identified as George, revealed he had transported bags of rubbish from the property to a nearby scrapyard, where a scanner flagged the material as radioactive. The scrapyard refused to accept the bags, prompting George to return to the property and contact authorities.
“I’ve cleaned so many houses and places like this and just don’t know what is inside,” George told reporters.
Specialist Response and Evacuations
Specialist teams trained to handle chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear incidents were dispatched to the scene. At least a dozen homes were evacuated, and residents were barred from re-entering their properties while emergency services worked to ensure safety.
One neighbour expressed concern, saying:
“It’s worrying now because their garden is next to mine. They were nice people but serious hoarders—you couldn’t even move in their house.
Background of the Property
The property belonged to an elderly couple, described by neighbours as lifelong hoarders. The woman, aged 90, passed away last Christmas, and her husband has since moved into a care home.
According to George, the house was filled with decades’ worth of clutter, with every room packed to capacity. The suspected radioactive material may have been stored unknowingly for years.
Official Statement
The Metropolitan Police later confirmed that the material was checked and found to be safe, stating:
“We were called after a person found an item they believed contained a harmful/chemical substance – it was checked and found to be safe. No further action.”
Emergency services have since stood down, and residents have been allowed to return to their homes.
