FIRE crews from Chippenham, Trowbridge and Shepton Mallet have tackled a chemical leak at Melksham this afternoon.

A mixture of two chemicals caused an "exothermic reaction" which released energy through gasses.

The crews were called out to the hazardous materials incident at 2.58pm and by 4pm had the chemicals under control.

It appears that contractors laying a floor at the Novacast metal casting foundry at Lancaster Road, Bowerhill Industrial Estate, Melksham, mixed two chemicals in a bucket using a metal stirrer.

The chemicals reacted with each other, giving off gasses, and the whole area was cordoned off as a safety precaution.

A spokeswoman for Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "Two crews from Chippenham and Trowbridge attended.

"We used two breathing apparatus and a specialist unit from Gillingham was also on its way before it was turned back.

"A quantity of chemicals was not acting in the way that it should and was gassing off. It appears that the two things have interacted."

Police were also informed but other safety precautions were not needed.