Well done all. There is an odd phrase in one of the quotes within the story, "...a valuable tool in our policing armoury".
This brought me to ponder what other tools might be in this 'armoury'.
A Freight Port is a very, very 'special' place with regard to chemicals. The port itself may use and store various chemicals, but what about the passing trade?
I am sure the Port Authorities are well aware of the 'unspeakable' dangers. The dangers of chemical mixtures. Water must be high on the list of substances that should not be in contact with many other chemical substances. Is there water about a Port?
Should anybody involved with such matters in and around the Port ever visit the Forum they may find the link below an invaluable tool in their locker/armoury...
http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/chemaids/react.html
There is no cause for ALARM. I am sure the loading arrangements of chemicals various is a factor taken into account.