Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption The foam "feels like soap" said one man caught up in the spectacle

A sea of flame retardant foam has flooded the streets around an airport hangar in the US state of California.

Firefighters say the foam spread after a fire alarm malfunctioned in a hangar at San Jose airport, causing foam to spew out of the hangar's vents.

The public has been warned to not to touch the foam as it is a skin irritant.

Local media say the foam deluge has stopped, and clean-up crews are being sent to the scene.

Image copyright KGO-TV/ABC News

Image copyright AP

Image copyright AP

Image copyright AP

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