AN explosion at a Suffolk chemicals laboratory sparked a major alert this morning which saw firefighters from across the region called to the scene.

AN explosion at a Suffolk chemicals laboratory sparked a major alert this morning which saw firefighters from across the region called to the scene.

Crews attended Melford Laboratories in Bildeston Road, Chelsworth, near Bildeston at 10.20am.

A Suffolk Fire Service spokesman said there was a “small explosion” at the lab.

There was no evacuation carried out by the fire service as everyone was already out of the building following a fire alarm.

The incident was dealt with by 11.59am.

Fire crews from Hadleigh, Sudbury, Needham Market, Stowmarket, Bury, Ipswich, Holbrook attended the scene.

A spokesman for the company said: “We have had a minor fire in one of our fume cupboards which we use for chemical reactions. It was a very minor incident with a small fire which we put out ourselves.

“The fire alarm was activated and the fire brigade responded as a precaution. The incident was dealt with very quickly and no one was injured, but since we are a chemical company we do not want to take any risks.”

The spokesman added that there was no spread of any chemicals following the incident.

Melford Laboratories is a chemical and biochemical manufacturer which supplies companies worldwide.