TWO factories were evacuated and nearby residents told to keep their windows closed when a toxic chemical was released following a blaze.

Half a dozen fire officers were forced to wear special protective clothing as they tackled the blaze at the premises of Wallwork Heat Treatment on Sunday morning (March 18).

The blaze, involving a machine at the company's base in Lord Street, released a highly toxic gas, phosgene.

Fifteen staff at Wallwork were evacuated from the premises as were workers at the nearby ductwork company of Senior Hargreaves.

Police cordoned off Lord Street and several adjoining streets during the alert and diversions were put in place.

People living nearby were advised to close their windows and to stay inside until the all-clear was given.

Station Officer Kevin Wilkinson of Bury fire station said: "Six of our fire officers wore the special decontamination suits as they fought the machine fire with foam.

"The evacuated workers were allowed back into the premises after two hours and we were at the scene for a total of three hours."

No-one was injured during the weekend incident and the diversions were lifted following the all-clear being given.

Damage was confined to the machine.