The dangerous chemical find forced emergency services to close a Southgate residential street today (Thursday November 13).

Council workers stumbled across the hazardous find in Caburn Court, just after 10.30am.

The Observer understands two council workers have been hospitalised following exposure to the noxious fumes.

Five fire engines and police cars rushed to Caburn Court after the spillage was reported in a frantic 999 call.

The dumped chemicals were discovered in a communal refuse area.

Witnesses say the chemical made paint 'peel from the walls' and made anyone that went near it 'sick to their stomachs'.

A spokesman for West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said: "We were called to an incident in Caburn Court, Caburn Heights, where there was a chemical spillage. Fire fighters attended wearing full chemical suits.

"We don't yet know the details of the chemical. We have taken advice and for safety reasons we were forced to cordon off the area."

Fire fighters sealed off Caburn Heights in Southgate for more than an hour while the scene was made safe.

A Crawley Borough Council spokesman said: "Two council workers were cleaning a bin store in a communal refuse area and they came across a drum of some kind of liquid which someone had dumped there.

"It was some kind of hazardous chemical substance and when they came across it they reported it and the emergency planning officer as well as environmental health officers from the council went down straight away.

"There were a lot of people around and emergency services, fire, police and paramedics all attended too.

"Two members of council staff were taken to hospital as a precautionary measure."

The area remains cordoned off to the public.

Did you see what happened? Did you take pictures of the incident? Email kirk.ward@sussexnewspapers.co.uk or call the newsdesk on 01293 845055.