TWO youngsters were lucky to escape death after opening drums of powerful acid at a Chorley industrial unit.

A fire chief said the children could have been seriously injured or killed after climbing into the closed works and sparking a chemical scare.

Nearby residents were warned to stay indoors when a gas cloud developed from the exposed sulphuric and hydrochloric acid at Turton Plating Services, Quarry Road, Chorley.

Around 25 firefighters, some wearing special chemical protection suits, dealt with the incident for several hours on Sunday.

The children had pushed the opened drums on their sides, allowing the acid to spill out.

Firefighters identified the chemicals, diluted them water and washed them down a foul sewer.

Sub-officer Mick Riley, from Chorley fire station, initially in charge of the operation, said: "It was important we didn't let it get in any water courses or drainage ditches.

"The cloud wasn't a large cloud, as such. You could see the vapour probably about ten to fifteen feet high, but it dissipated at that and drifted away from local houses.

"If the wind direction had changed it would have affected local residents but as it turned out it stayed in our favour all afternoon."

He added: "The drums were stored in an outside yard and the kids climbed over the outside wall.

"They could have been burned or even killed."

Mr Peter Shepherd, boss of the electro plating company, formerly known as Metal Finishers, said the children spilled about 50 or 60 litres of acid from the drums. He said he was satisfied the drums were safely and adequately stored.

He said: "There isn't really an investigation to carry out. The National Rivers Authority is quite happy and North West Water pollution control were quite happy with the way the situation was dealt with."

Chorley Borough Council's environmental health department said it was not investigating but a spokesperson for the Health and Safety Executive in Preston said: "An inspector is going to be contacting the company and then make his decision on what action, if any, to take."

Police are still trying to trace the children who are thought to have been playing in the compound.

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