A SPECIALIST team continues the clear up of 100 litres of leaked acid at the BMW plant in Cowley.

The hydrochloric acid was discovered at about 2am on one of the plant's storage facilities.

The on-site emergency response team dealt with the leak initially until emergency services arrived just before 4am.

Steve Wrelton, a spokesman for MINI Plant Oxford, confirmed Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue service left the site this afternoon while the specialist team continues the clear up.

He said they were expected to finish the operation tonight and afterwards there will be an assessment of the area.

He added: "At about 2am a chemical leak was identified in one of our plant’s storage facilities.

"In line with procedure, our on-site emergency response team was notified and local emergency services were called to attend.

"No one has been injured as a result of the incident and production continues. 

"A full investigation will be undertaken and the Health & Safety Executive have been informed.”

One employee took himself to the John Radcliffe after breathing in the vapour following the leak from a container but was checked over and later returned to the site to help with the clean-up operation. 

The container was in an area in between the assembly and paint shop.

Six fire engines and a hazardous materials decontamination unit was also sent to the scene to help clear up the large chemical leak.

Emergency services are still on site waiting for a specialist chemical cleaning company to remove the acid and make the area safe.

A full investigation will be undertaken and the Health & Safety Executive has been informed.

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Incident Commander Will McPhail said: “We have worked closely with colleagues from South Central Ambulance Service, Thames Valley Police and BMW emergency response staff to prevent the incident from escalating and maintain scene safety."

Building 50 is located on the corner of the Eastern By-Pass Road and Garsington Road.