A STREET in Bolton was sealed off for three hours last night as fire-fighters dealt with a leaking chemical drum.

The substance, thought to be an ammonium compound, was discovered spilling out onto the pavement in Knutshaw Crescent, Hunger Hill, at 2.20am.

Station Officer Dave Pimblett, from Bolton Central Station, said the 25-litre drum had been slashed with a knife several times causing the fluid to leak.

The chemical is known to cause irritation and rashes if it comes into contact with the skin.

Mr Pimblett added: "It is quite a noxious substance which can attack the body but it did not smell of ammonia. At first we thought it contained a different substance than stated on the drum.

Spillages

"We were there for a good couple of hours and had to seal off the street. A lot of people were out on the street."

Firefighters took down the details of the chemical agent and phone numbers of the chemical company from the side of the drum before contacting Bolton Council.

A technical support firefighting unit, which deals with chemical spillages, was also called to the scene from Manchester to analyse the substance.

Bolton Council environment officers mopped the spillage up with sand as the street was cordoned off and traffic diverted away from the scene.

Officers removed the drum to a secure compound to await disposal on Monday.

No-one was injured and the substance is expected to undergo tests later.