16 August 2012 Last updated at 10:40 ET

Chemical plea after emergency at Wye Valley Skips

The fire service said "highly toxic vapours" were coming from a drum in one of the skips

Fire chiefs have urged people to take "extreme caution" when disposing of chemicals after an incident at a skip company in Herefordshire.

Emergency crews were called to Wye Valley Skips, on the Rotherwas Industrial Estate, on Wednesday.

Hereford and Worcester Fire Service said "highly toxic liquid and vapours", believed to be hydrofluoric acid, were coming from a drum in one of the skips.

Four members of staff at the site were taken to hospital for checks.

The fire service said the area was now being decontaminated.

Station commander Neil Pigott said: "Exposure to this substance could have had tragic consequences.

"We would urge people to take extreme caution when handling chemicals and to be careful and considerate regarding their disposal."