A MAN feared he would be overcome by fumes when dangerous chemicals spilled onto a factory floor.

The incident happened when a five litre canister of ammonia overturned in an industrial unit in Bircholt Road, Park Wood, Maidstone, spilling about two litres of the chemical over the shop floor.

The man, who was in the building at the time, called firefighters complaining of breathing difficulties.

A spokesman for Kent Fire and Rescue Service said: "He was having trouble breathing, and while we were speaking to him, the line went dead. We thought he had collapsed."

Two fire crews from Maidstone Fire Station’s White Watch, and an incident support unit from Ashford, with specialist equipment on board, attended the incident at about 6.48pm on Monday.

They used absorbent material to soak up the spilt chemical and this was then placed in a safe container.

The man was treated by an ambulance crew at the scene and taken to Maidstone Hospital for observation. Crews left the scene at about 9.20pm.

Ammonia is an irritant which can hurt eyes, skin and the respiratory system. Sub Officer Steve Milner, of White Watch said: "It needs to be contained. The fumes are highly dangerous."