A TEACHER was taken to hospital following a chemical leak at a school in Colchester.

Students and staff were evacuated from the science block at the Philip Morant School, in Rembrandt Way, after ammonia was found leaking from a refrigerator in a staff room.

Emergency services were called to the scene and set up a decontamination zone after two members of staff were overcome by fumes.

A female teacher was taken to Colchester General Hospital and another member of staff was treated by paramedics at the scene.

Four fire crews from Colchester and Dovercourt were called to the first floor of the building – which measures 30m by 20m - at 8.15am today.

Assistant Divisional Officer Greg Keys, incident commander, said: “Initially two members of staff were overcome by the fumes, but they appear to be OK now.

"Ammonia is pretty unpleasant stuff, it can cause skin burns and dangerous to inhale."

Emergency services left the scene at about 10.45pm after the refrigerator had been removed.