Chemical explosion and fire at Melbourne car paint laboratory

Emergency services spent more than 90 minutes battling a fire caused by an explosion at a Melbourne laboratory today.

Emergency services rushed to PPG Automotive Refinish, which develops paints for cars, on McNaughton Road in Clayton after they received a call reporting an explosion and fire at around 2.30pm.

About 150 people fled the building, with the fire contained to the second floor of the laboratory.

Paramedics examined all staff who were in the room at the time, with only two staff treated at the scene for mild nausea.

Hazmat crews will assess the scene of the accident before allowing staff back in.