FIREFIGHTERS were called to a potentially dangerous chemical spill at a Blackburn business park.

The fire and rescue service was called to B and M Longworth, Sett End Road, Shadsworth, at around 2.25pm yesterday following reports that there had been a nitric acid chemical spillage.

The chemical is dangerous when inhaled and the premises were evacuated.

In total, 25 firefighters attended after around 300 litres of the acid leaked out of a tanker in an industrial cleaning plant.

Watch manager Peter Frazer said: “Twelve people had to be evacuated for safety reason before crews arrived and firefighters cordoned off the area to deal with the incident.”

He said a tank in the premises had cracked.