A teenage girl has been taken to hospital after chemicals blew up in her face at a St Albans school this morning (Tuesday).

A Year 12 student at Sandringham School was participating in a science experiment when chemicals from the reaction burnt her eyes and skin.

The unexpected incident saw a chemical erupt from a reacting vessel and land on the student’s face and eyes just before 10.30am.

Despite wearing the appropriate safety equipment, including a pair of goggles, fumes and liquid from the chemical still managed to reach the eyes.

The girl was taken to Stoke Mandeville hospital in Milton Keynes, which specialises in treatment for burns injuries.

Paul Davies, who attended the scene with the ambulance, said: “Fortunately her condition is not believed to be life-threatening, and no-one else was injured in the incident.”

The school is carrying out a full investigation to establish the cause of the reaction, which was part of a routine Chemistry A-Level procedure carried out in schools across the country.

Head teacher of the school, Alan Gray, said:

“We are genuinely concerned for the welfare of the student and hope that she makes a full and speedy recovery.

“She is in expert hands and the emergency services were outstanding in their dealing with the incident quickly and professionally. We would like to thank them for their support.”