FIREFIGHTERS spent nearly three hours dealing with a chemical spillage at a Carlisle parcel depot.

Crews from Carlisle East and West fire stations were called out to the incident at Hermes in Kingmoor Park, Kingstown, at about 9.45pm where a package of sulphuric acid had fallen off a conveyor belt.  

Incident commander Adrian Dargue, of Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, said: "It was a very strong strength. [Hermes] don't actually carry that but somebody had tried to put that package through their system and it had obviously dropped off their conveyor belt and opened.

"Because it was such a strong strength. We summoned specialist advice to clean it up."

Fire crews worked out the chemical they were dealing with and cordoned off the area.

They were assisted by Adler and Allan, a specialist environment services company, who wore chemical suits, breathing protection and specialist gloves and footwear.

A Hermes spokesman.“We are fully investigating how this package made its way into our network. We comprehensively and clearly state on our website that we do not carry hazardous items of this nature. Due to the quick actions of our on-site teams, together with the fire brigade, thankfully no one was hurt. 

"We continue to work closely with the relevant authorities and we are taking this matter very seriously.”

The package was only about 8" squared.