A chemical fire in an industrial area of Widnes in Cheshire has been brought under control by firefighters.

The fire at the warehouse on Brown Street damaged drums of sulphur hydrosulphite, releasing gas into the air.

People living nearby were advised to stay indoors as a precaution.

Five fire engines worked to tackle the fire, which was described as a "major incident".

The fire started on Thursday morning at Clarient UK Ltd, and heated up six two-tonne containers of the chemical.

Several roads nearby were closed off while emergency services dealt with the incident.

Firefighters sprayed "copious quantities" of water onto the containers to cool them and limit the gas release.

They were removed from the warehouse by lunchtime, when Cheshire fire service declared the incident to be under control.

Roads were reopened in the early afternoon.