FACTORY workers were evacuated as more than 15 firefighters responded to a chemical alert.

The drama at the premises of A&E Threads at Bankside Mill, Chapelfield, Radcliffe, happened after a quantity of phiournea dioxide, contained inside a 50 kilogram cardboard drum, began to give off gas.

Fire crews from Whitefield, Broughton and Farnworth were assisted by the brigade's special incident unit and emergency salvage tender. The alert, which happened at 12.30pm on Wednesday (Sept 25), was called off after the drum was taken away for disposal.

Sub-officer Steve Simpson of Whitefield fire station said: "It was quite nasty when we got there. We actually thought the premises were on fire because of the way the chemical was gassing off.

"Because of what was happening, we thought the chemical, which was inside the premises, may have been contaminated. We removed the drum, covered it up to stop it gassing off and waited for a specialist firm to come and collect it."

Fire officers did not require protective suits, they did wear breathing apparatus. Although the chemical was not toxic, it could have caused irritation.

More than 30 staff at the factory were evacuated for around two hours. Fire crews were at the scene for four hours.