A forklift caused a chemical spill which saw the evacuation of two buildings and the lock-down of three schools yesterday.

The forklift was on the back of a semi-trailer when it punctured a barrel of mixed acetone and chloroform, spilling up to 10 gallons (45 litres) of the flammable mixture in Lakewood, a West Metro Fire Department spokesman told Associated Press.

Three schools were locked down and asked to shut off air conditioning systems. Two buildings in a nearby federal centre were evacuated after vapours were sucked into their ventilation systems.

No one was injured.