A MYSTERY chemical which forced the closure of an Ipswich street has today been revealed as a key component used by the plastics industry.A quantity of diphenylmethane diisocyanate was spilled onto a section of Fore Hamlet, forcing the road to be cordoned off for more than an hour.

A MYSTERY chemical which forced the closure of an Ipswich street has today been revealed as a key component used by the plastics industry.

A quantity of diphenylmethane diisocyanate was spilled onto a section of Fore Hamlet, forcing the road to be cordoned off for more than an hour.

Firefighters wearing full protective clothing contained the spill and stored the spilt chemical in containers ready for disposal.

The road was closed until about noon while residue chemical was cleaned from the road by firefighters using high powered sprays.

It is thought the substance, which spilled from a container found on the road, could have fallen from a lorry.

A spokesman for Suffolk Fire Service said most of the chemical found on the road was placed into another container, which will be disposed of.

"It was contained in an oversized drum," he said.

"There was a residual amount that was washed away.

"Our purpose was to make it safe for the general public."

Throughout the clean-up operation motorists, cyclists and pedestrians were diverted from the area to ensure no one was put at risk.

David Knagg, team leader of the environment management team, said: "The substance came from an undetected vehicle.

"Our involvement in the incident was minimal because the fire and rescue service attended the scene quickly and were able to maintain the spill.

"There was no real risk to the environment but because we were called we attended and have now disposed safely of the material."