FORTY-FIVE homes were evacuated and a major road was closed as firefighters tackled a potentially dangerous chemical spillage.

Accrington, Burnley and Padiham fire crews used specialist hazardous material, or hazmat, units to clean up the xylene spillage off Burnley Road, Huncoat, yesterday afternoon.

The road was closed for more than three hours and residents were moved to Hyndburn Sports Centre, Henry Street, as a precaution as fire crews were at first unsure which chemical they were dealing with.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said six small drums from the truck belonging to Clark Transport and Distribution Ltd, had leaked from the lorry near to the Texaco garage.

Xylene is widely used in products such as paints, glues, and pesticides.

It can cause headaches, dizziness, drowsiness and nausea.

Watch manager Gary Hargreaves, who oversaw the operation which began at 2.30pm, set up a 200-metre exclusion zone when firefighters arrived.

Chemical absorbent pads and clay mats, were used to clean up the leak and the leaking drums were sealed. Firefighters had dealt with the spillage by 6pm.

Albert Timberlake, emergency response group team leader, said his team had set up a processing room at the sports centre to register the evacuees and get them checked by British Red Cross and council staff.

Kalpana Sharma, 66, and her husband Dr Dhaneshwar Sharma, 76, of Woodside Close, took refuge in the centre.

When she was told to leave her home Mrs Sharma was quick to make sure she also brought her two cats, Bono and Edge.

She said: “We just heard lots of sirens but we didn’t know what it was because there was so much activity on the road.

“A friend called and said ‘don’t do down there’, but I wanted to have a look like a nosey parker.

"But police came to the door and said you have to evacuate.

"I asked ‘what about my cats?’ and they said ‘we don't know, we're not vets’ so I just brought Bono and Edge with me.”

Jane Haigh, 48, of Sutton Crescent, was at the centre with mum, Patricia Haigh.

The computer systems worker said: “They took our details and checked our medical history when we got to the centre and asked if we needed anything.

“I just wanted to sleep – I started work at six and finished at four.”

Gail Hoole, 61, was evacuated along with her neighbour Alice Riley, 87, of Woodside Road.

Mrs Hoole said: “They gave me 10 minutes to get out and I just thought ‘what about Alice?’ “She asked if she could stay but the policeman said he couldn’t let her because she was so near to it her house could blow up.

"I thought he was joking but he said ‘no, really’.”

Mrs Riley said: “He helped me get my shoes on and helped me into the car. He was a grand lad.

“I wasn't worried because I didn't have the chance to think.”