A distressed neighbour of the Sidcup Coca-Cola factory heard an "explosion-like" bang when you can usually "hear a pin drop" when there was an acid leak at the site.

The bang happened just before 8.40pm last night (January 18), and turned out to be a leak of hydrochloric acid at the plant in Cray Road.

Firefighters dealt with the incident and around 200 people were evacuated from the building.

Neighbour Jermaine Cayenne was putting his daughter to bed when he heard the bang, which he assumed at first to be an explosion.

He told the News Shopper: "Between around 8.30pm and 8.45pm, I heard a bang before putting my daughter to bed.

"It was quite unusual being that my road is quiet, and at the best of times you can hear a pin drop.

"The bang, which I assumed to be an explosion, was followed by sounds of multiple emergency units.

"It's now known to have been the Coca-Cola factory based in Sidcup.

"My road wasn't advised to close our windows following the escape of chemicals so I assume it's nothing to worry about."

The leak was isolated at around 11.30pm but firefighters remained at the scene throughout the night, taking readings of chemicals in the air.

There are no reports of any injuries.

The incident was handed over from London Fire Brigade to onsite management at 5.26am.

We have contacted Coca-Cola for more information.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "London firefighters dealt with a chemical incident at a factory on Cray Road in Sidcup.

"There was a leak of hydrochloric acid at the plant.

"It was isolated at around 11.30pm.

"Firefighters remained at the scene throughout the night taking readings of chemicals in the air.

"Around 200 people evacuated the building before the Brigade arrived. There are no reports of any injuries.

"The Brigade was called at 8.39pm and the incident was handed over to onsite management at 5.26am."