A specialist chemical unit and firefighters were also scrambled to the scene as 57 people reported symptoms. A patient at Maidstone Hospital said they had witnessed a “complete lockdown” of the site as people were not allowed to enter the building and large tents were set up outside to deal with the incident. In a statement, Kent Fire and Rescue Service said it had dispatched five engines to the site after the alarm was raised shortly before 3pm this afternoon.

The service said: “Kent Fire and Rescue Service is responding to an incident in Sutton Road, Langley near Maidstone, following a suspected chemical leak at a commercial site. 

“Five fire engines, hazardous material officers and a specialist chemical unit are in attendance. 

“South East Coast Ambulance paramedics are looking after 57 people experiencing breathing difficulties.” 

Richard Hurley was attending an appointment at Maidstone Hospital when he witnessed an operation unfold. 

He said police began to descend on the site and ambulances lined up as the hospital appeared to prepare for a sudden influx of people. 

He told Kent Online: “Nobody is being allowed into the hospital and big white hazard tents have been set up outside.

“There’s a lot of activity, I’d describe it as a full-scale operation.

“I can see five police cars, a couple of vans and now there are quite a few ambulances queuing up.” 

South East Coast Ambulance Service said none of the injured persons were in a serious condition. 

Those having trouble breathing are believed to be workers on a fruit-picking farm. 

According to reports, dozens of people experienced dizziness and nausea. 

The fire service gave an update at 5pm to say 40 firefighters wearing breathing apparatus are working at the site. 

They said the incident has not spread beyond the commercial site. 

The statement read: “Kent Fire and Rescue Service has more than 40 firefighters at the scene of a suspected chemical leak on a commercial site in Sutton Road, Langley, near Maidstone. 

“Crews wearing breathing apparatus together with hazardous material officers are working to establish what the chemical is. 

“The incident is contained to the site.” 

A spokesman for South East Coast Ambulance  said: “We are responding to an incident in Sutton Road, Langley near Maidstone, following a suspected chemical leak at a premises reported to us at approximately 2.20pm today.

“Ambulance crews, including our Hazardous Area Response Team and the air ambulance service, are at the scene.

“We have assessed and treated 57 people at the scene for breathing difficulties.

“A number have been discharged from our care.

“No patients are currently in a serious condition.”

This is a breaking news story and is being updated. 

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