A MAN working next to the site where a toxic fire broke out in Westbury this morning says he was sent home from work early after suffering a headache as the smoke billowed over.

Firefighters were called to Absolute Solvents in Brook Lane at 9.28am and six fire engines were mobilised from Westbury, Trowbridge, Frome, Melksham and two from Warminster.

Liam Trott, a diesel fitter for Colas Oil, said: “It was a quite a big deal and I had a bad headache for quite a few hours after the smoke came over.

“I was just working as normal when all of a sudden this huge black cloud of smoke filled the sky.

“At first I thought it was just a few old trucks starting up but it then started to get darker and darker and had a weird, toxic smell to it.

“I then struggled to breathe and had to run inside, smoke covered the whole yard area where there was a few people working.

“I still don’t feel 100 per cent, it’s quite worrying. I had some paracetamol and was tempted to go and see a doctor.

"It felt like I was trapped as it was impossible to exit from the usual exit we use. It was quite scary.

“I had no idea there was a chemical plant right next to where I work, I think it should be made it a bit more clear due to incidents like this.”

Brook Lane and Stephenson Road have since been reopened.

Anyone concerned that they may have been affected by the smoke plume like Mr Trott should call NHS 111 or seek other medical advice.