Firefighters were called to Kingston University on Friday (11 April) evening after an explosion occurred in one of the university's laboratories.

The explosion occurred after 5pm at the university's Pehnrhyn Road campus.

Two students were treated by the London Ambulance Service at the scene before being taken to hospital.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "Firefighters responded to reports of an explosion in a laboratory on the Kingston University campus. 

"Crews carried out operations to make the scene safe. Two students were treated on scene by the London Ambulance Service before being removed to hospital.

"The Brigade was first called about the incident at 5.47pm, and the incident was over for crews by 8.28pm." 

A Kingston University spokesperson said: "There was an unforeseen minor incident in one of our research labs on our Penrhyn Road campus on Friday afternoon in which two PhD students suffered minor injuries during an experiment which they had carried out multiple times before.

 "Both students were wearing full PPE and supervisors were present to ensure the swift arrival of emergency services to the scene, who attended as a routine precaution as with any incident of this kind. The students have since been treated for their injuries and are in good spirits.

 "The safety of our students and staff is our top priority so we have carried out a full debrief to further strengthen health and safety protocols and try to prevent a situation like this happening again."