A MAN was rushed to hospital after being exposed to a hazardous substance in Newton Abbot this morning (May 24).

The Centrax site in Shaldon Road was evacuated as the casualty was treated at the scene for ‘breathing difficulties’ after an incident involving leakage of a silicon-based gas.

Three fire crews, from Newton Abbot and Torquay, dealt with the incident after the alarm was raised at 7.15am.

Firefighters wore breathing gear and gas-tight suits to investigate the affected area as the man involved was taken to Torbay Hospital for a check-up.

A fire spokesman said a 100-litre drum, containing a hazardous substance, was removed to the open air and deposited in a ‘safe location’ for later disposal by the company.