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Scottish leisure centre evacuated over chemical leak fears Scottish leisure centre evacuated after chemical leak
(35 minutes later)
A Scottish leisure centre has been evacuated after a suspected chemical leak, with emergency services attending to multiple casualties. Sixteen people have been treated for breathing difficulties after a chemical leak at a Scottish leisure centre, which emergency services described as a “major incident”.
Three fire engines and 15 ambulance service vehicles were called to the scene at East Sands leisure centre in St Andrews, Fife, shortly after 1pm on Tuesday. Three fire engines and 15 ambulance service vehicles were called to East Sands leisure centre in St Andrews, Fife, shortly after 1pm on Tuesday. The centre was evacuated and cordoned off.
Scottish ambulance service has said that the injured will be transported to hospital, with triage teams treating several people on site at present. Those affected are understood not to be in a serious conditions. The leak is believed to be sodium hypochlorite, a chemical compound used to make bleach. Those affected are suffering from “minor breathing irritation” and are understood not to be in a serious condition.
The Scottish fire and rescue service said the leak was believed to be sodium hypochlorite, a chemical compound which becomes bleach when it comes into contact with water. Scottish ambulance service said the injured were being transported to hospital, after triage teams treated several people on site.
The leisure centre, which has a swimming pool and flume rides, has been cordoned off and evacuated as the emergency services deal with the incident. Evacuation at East Sands Leisure Centre in St Andrews after suspected chemical leak. pic.twitter.com/YeVB8f7h4P
Firefighters in haz mat suits going in and out of the East Sands Leisure Centre St Andrews after chemical leak pic.twitter.com/MiLWd98PNC
Three breathing apparatus teams entered the building in gas-tight suits to isolate the power in the plant room and search the building. A spokesman said everyone in the building was now accounted for.
“There are currently 13 Scottish fire and rescue service appliances in attendance including five pumping appliances, a control unit, an emergency support unit and a hazardous materials appliance,” a spokesman said. “Scottish ambulance service is also in attendance and is treating the leak as a major incident.”
One local resident, Robert Ovenstone, told the Courier: “The is the first time I’ve seen anything like this in eight years. I saw men in big green bio suits and people brought out in their swimwear. It’s like something off the telly.”
Jesse Duley, an employee at a food bank near East Sands, told the Guardian: “I’ve seen and heard loads of emergency vehicles going up and down the road, which is the main route from East Sands to the health centre. There have been about a dozen or so vehicles in the last couple of hours, sirens on and lights flashing.”
The centre has a swimming pool with tropical palms, giant flumes and inflatables, as well as a gym, squash courts and a spa. It is close to the beach amd to a University of St Andrews student accommodation development, Albany Park
A university spokesperson said they had been advised by emergency services that there was no major risk to surrounding buildings and that the university residence had not been evacuated, contrary to some reports in the media.