Two hurt after acid factory fire

Two men have been taken to hospital with severe burns after a fire and chemical spillage at a factory in Kent.

The men have been transferred to a specialist burns unit in London after the fire at Hoo Marina, near Rochester.

The fire caused a spillage of hydrochloric acid, but firefighters say they were able to contain the acid on the site.

More than 35 firefighters were called to Netex Agricultural International's factory just before 1200 BST.

Kent Fire Brigade said the men injured in the incident at the site on Vicarage Lane, were members of the public.

The fire was out by 1500 BST but firefighters stayed at the scene to work on the major clean-up operation.

Contractors were brought in to minimise the effects of the spilt acid and helped to ensure it did not leak off the site.

The injured men were taken to the Medway Maritime Hospital but had to be transferred to the specialist unit at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital due to the extent of their burns.