Hazmat firefighters storm Brit mum’s home over ‘toxic’ Shein parcel that left her feeling ‘dizzy and unwell’

HAZMAT firefighters stormed a mum’s home after she received a Shein parcel covered in a “toxic” liquid, leaving her unwell and dizzy. Courtney Davies, 28, said she had ordered products for her business from Shein on July 4. Courtney said the noxious liquid left her feeling dizzy and lightheaded Credit: Kennedy News When Courtney’s package arrived it was covered in a strange liquid Credit: Kennedy News But when the package, containing bookmarks, magnets and stickers, arrived at her home in Plymouth, Devon, she said it had a strong “chemical” smell. The noxious odour appeared to be coming from a white liquid – which made Courtney feel dizzy and lightheaded, she claimed. Sign up for the Fabulous newsletter Thank you! Some of the substance spilled on the book seller’s hoodie and jeans, causing them to change colour almost immediately. Following the harrowing experience, Courtney asked Shein for a refund on her £57 parcel but the seller refused. The liquid reportedly changed the colour of her clothes almost immediately after getting on them Credit: Kennedy News Firefighters in hazmat suits responded to Courtney’s home Credit: Kennedy News Shein said they take “any report of this nature seriously” and are conducting an investigation “in line with safety protocols.” As she tried to deal with the “chemically” liquid, Courtney called 999 and the fire service responded to her home. A hazmat team and ambulance descended on her home and she was evacuated from the property. The mum-of-two said the team deemed the liquid to be a “hazardous material” and disposed of it, but couldn’t determine what exactly it was. Most read in Fabulous Courtney said she and her partner were monitored for an hour in an ambulance, with paramedics testing their blood, heart rates and any evidence of burns. The couple both reported having a headache for the next two days that even painkillers couldn’t shift. Shein said: “Our initial review has not identified any obvious issues with the package or its contents during the warehouse packing process. “Incidents of this nature are highly unusual and, along with our logistics partners, we are working to establish what occurred. “We have contacted the customer directly and issued a full refund for her order as a gesture of goodwill.” Courtney said: “I ordered bookmarks, scrunchies, stickers and a few magnets [from Shein]. Courtney had to send an image of the hazmat report to Shein to secure a refund Credit: Kennedy News Courtney has vowed never to order from Shein again Credit: Kennedy News “As I opened it up there was this really strong chemical [smell] all over the parcel. “It got on my clothes and they immediately started changing colour. It was similar to bleach but so powerful it almost felt like it was burning your nose hairs. “My partner said ‘we need to take this outside, it’s starting to make me really light headed’. “My eyes were watering and my nose was running – it was so strong. “I rang the [emergency services] 10-15 mins after. They could still smell it when they arrived. We had to dispose of it and they got rid of it. “Everything was coated in this liquid, all in the inside of the parcel, it had a white consistency. We still don’t know what [it] was. “I washed my hands immediately because of how fast it changed the colour of my clothing, I was scared of what would happen when it got on my skin. “It was strong enough that within seconds my jumper was changing colour. There’s been a few times bleach has splashed up my trousers and it probably takes around an hour for it to change colour, this was immediate. “We sat in the ambulance for an hour outside my house because they had to observe us. “They had to check our throats to see if we had any chemical burns. We had blood tests and our fingers pricked.” The parcel allegedly stank out Courtney’s house – forcing her to open her doors and windows for two hours. The mum, who suffers from anxiety, said the incident caused her to have a panic attack. Courtney added: “I have massive anxiety and it brought on an anxiety attack, I had a panic attack over it. “We were told to not touch anyone, not eat or drink, just stand there and hope that everything was okay. It was scary. “All my windows and doors had to be open for two hours because my house stank. “They should investigate it so it doesn’t happen again. This can happen to someone who has a lung condition or asthma and something like this could hospitalise them. “We had a headache for about a day-and-a-half. Not only have they affected my income, they damaged my personal belongings. “I couldn’t work the day after because I had a really bad headache. Not even painkillers were getting rid of it.” Shein reportedly requested “substantial” proof with Courtney sending them the hazmat team report. However the mum-of-two claims she was ignored before having her case closed. She has now vowed to never shop from Shein again. Courtney said: “They kept asking if it had been delivered and I said everything inside it was damaged by a hazardous liquid. “I’ve gone back and forth with them. They closed it and said they won’t give me my money back. “I sent them emails, I got a picture of the report from the hazmat team, explained the situation in so much detail. “They say they will send me a return label but I can’t return something disposed of by the hazmat team. “They keep asking me to send them a substantial amount of proof, I’ve sent them everything I have. They just don’t care for their customers. “I won’t be using them for my business ever again.” Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service confirmed the incident details. A Shein spokesperson said :”We take any report of this nature seriously and we are conducting an investigation in line with our safety protocols. “Our initial review has not identified any obvious issues with the package or its contents during the warehouse packing process. “Incidents of this nature are highly unusual and, along with our logistics partners, we are working to establish what occurred. “We have contacted the customer directly and issued a full refund for her order as a gesture of goodwill.” Comment now