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| East Sands Leisure Centre chemical leak 'a major incident' | East Sands Leisure Centre chemical leak 'a major incident' |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| About 19 children and adults are being treated for breathing difficulties following a chemical leak at a leisure centre in St Andrews, Fife. | |
| The Scottish Ambulance Service said it was treating the leak at East Sands Leisure Centre as a "major incident". | The Scottish Ambulance Service said it was treating the leak at East Sands Leisure Centre as a "major incident". |
| The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said the incident, which took place just after 13:00, involved the chemical sodium hypochlorite. | The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said the incident, which took place just after 13:00, involved the chemical sodium hypochlorite. |
| A spokesman added that there were no fatalities. | A spokesman added that there were no fatalities. |
| A number of people have been taken to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee. | A number of people have been taken to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee. |
| The fire service said it used three breathing apparatus teams in gas-tight suits to isolate the power in the plant room and search the building. Everyone has been accounted for. | The fire service said it used three breathing apparatus teams in gas-tight suits to isolate the power in the plant room and search the building. Everyone has been accounted for. |
| There are 13 fire engines at the centre and 55 firefighters. | There are 13 fire engines at the centre and 55 firefighters. |
| A number of ambulances were also called to the scene, along with specialist teams. | A number of ambulances were also called to the scene, along with specialist teams. |
| Sodium hypochlorite is a chemical compound. When dissolved in water it is commonly used as a disinfectant or bleaching agent. | Sodium hypochlorite is a chemical compound. When dissolved in water it is commonly used as a disinfectant or bleaching agent. |
| The leisure centre includes a swimming pool, spa, squash courts and a gym. | The leisure centre includes a swimming pool, spa, squash courts and a gym. |
| According to the pool timetable, an adult and child session is held between 10:30 and 11:00 on Tuesdays, with the facility open to the general public after that. | According to the pool timetable, an adult and child session is held between 10:30 and 11:00 on Tuesdays, with the facility open to the general public after that. |
| Eyewitness Steven Smith, who was working nearby, described how he saw a group of children leave the centre. | |
| He told BBC Scotland: "As I am looking forward towards the swimming pool, we see quite a large group of children accompanied by adults and the attendants from the swimming pool come out and gather. | |
| "At first impressions, we thought it was just a school trip and they had gathered in the one point so that everybody could be identified to make sure nobody was left in the pool before they left for home, or back to school. | |
| "It was only when we saw some children were getting attended to by an ambulance crew that we realised something might be wrong. The rest of the emergency services turned up, and that is when we realised something was wrong." | |
| A Fife Sports and Leisure Trust spokeswoman said: "All customers and staff were able to evacuate the building safely without assistance, however, 19 people, including two members of staff, were referred for medical assistance for minor breathing irritation. | |
| "Emergency services and staff are still on site but all customers have left the area. The exact cause of the incident is still being investigated by the emergency services and there is no threat to the surrounding area. | |
| " We will continue to work with emergency services and will keep customers updated as to the status of the centre via our website." | |
| Have you been affected by the chemical leak at East Sands Leisure Centre? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences. | Have you been affected by the chemical leak at East Sands Leisure Centre? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences. |
| Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
| Or use the form below | Or use the form below |