The driver of a lorry which crashed into a block of flats while carrying chemicals has been sacked.

The lorry, which had 14.5 tonnes of chemicals on board, crashed in Ilfracombe after it careered down a hill in September.

Haulage company E and E Ltd of Cheshire said the driver was fired because he left the cab unlocked and the engine running when he got out to ask directions.

It is still not clear whether the 17-tonne vehicle's handbrake was on or off before the incident at Slade Valley Road. The driver insists it was on.

Some chemicals leaked after the crash

After rolling down the hill, the lorry overturned and dropped 16 feet (five metres) into a gully before hitting a three-storey block of flats.

No-one was hurt in the incident but about 500 people were moved from 175 houses after the vehicle crashed.

Part of Ilfracombe beach was closed as a precaution.

This was after a small amount of a acid leaked down a drain and into the water system.

Police say they are still carrying out inquiries into the incident.