ILLEGALLY dumped chemical drums threatened to explode in a blazing derelict storage shed in Southborough, Tunbridge Wells, after people in Andrew Road reported seeing a bolt of lightning hit the council-owned building at around 9.30am.

Fire crews from Tunbridge Wells were called as one of the drums of unidentified liquid went up in a huge cloud of red smoke. Two of the remaining drums were bulging as if ready to explode. The area was sealed off and nearby residents were warned to keep windows closed as a precaution.

A specialist chemical back-up team was called from Strood. The fire was put out and the bulging drums cooled using jets of water. Tests are expected to be carried out by Environment Agency officials before the council make arrangements for a specialist disposal team to remove the remaining drums.