FIREFIGHTERS were called to an apartment complex in York after chemical vapours percolated through lift shafts into the flats.

North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service said crews went to Pond Garth at 11.30pm last night following reports of a solvent smell in a carpark belonging to the apartments.

"The source was found to be two uncovered containers of concrete curing liquid left by builders," said a spokesman.

"The containers were capped and moved by firecrews away and to the open air, as the vapours had been percolating upwards via lift shafts and into the apartments above."