A SCIENTIST was injured in an explosion at a laboratory at Runcorn's Heath Business and Technical Park.

Anxious residents raised the alarm after hearing a loud bang at 10am on Sunday morning.

A man carrying out experiments at Hixia Customs Synthesis was praised for using a fire extinguisher.

Sub officer, Ken Sharatt, said: "If he hadn't taken action, the damage could have been more extensive. There is a high level of safety at this site.

"It was accidental. There was a fault on some testing equipment leading to a leak of high pressure hydrogen, which was ignited by an electrical spark."

The scientist was treated at the scene for minor injuries and did not need to go to hospital.

Windows blew out and the lab was damaged by fire and smoke.

John Lewis, managing director of SOG Limited, who manage the site, said: "Both Hixia and SOG's own health and safety team are trying to determine the cause of the incident.

"We offer specialist facilities to a variety of research companies and have an excellent safety record spread over many decades. Once our enquiry is complete we will be in a position to share any learning occurrences."

The Health and Safety Executive has been notified.