FIREFIGHTERS acted quickly to stop chemicals that had spilled on to a road in Dudley from spreading today (Saturday, July 23).

Around 40 literes of an unknown substance had spilled into Pear Tree Lane in Netherton this morning.

Crews from across the Black Country were called out at around 11.16am and arrived within minutes to contain the substance.

Firefighters also used equipment to prevent the chemicals from getting into drains in the road.

Pear Tree Lane was closed and remains shut as the clear up operation continues but no properties were evacuated or affected by the incident.

Samples of the substance is currently being tested to ascertain what the chemical is, while fire chiefs are also working with the Environment Agency to find the source of the spillage and ensure the area is safe.

West Midlands Fire Service station commander Marc Hudson said: "We were called out to Pear Tree Lane and discovered around 40 litres of an unexplained chemical was in the road way.

"They arrived at the scene within three minutes - the average attendance time is around five - and were quickly able to stop the chemicals from spreading further down the road and get into the watercourse.

"As a result of this, we don not forsee the incident escalating because it was contained quickly.

"There are currently four fire engines still at the scene along with the specialist hazardous substance team and environment protection officer."