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Scottish leisure centre evacuated after chemical leak Nineteen taken to hospital after chemical leak at Scottish leisure centre
(about 2 hours later)
Nineteen people have been hospitalised with breathing difficulties after a chemical leak at a Scottish leisure centre, which emergency services described as a “major incident”. Nineteen people have been taken to hospital with breathing difficulties after a chemical leak at a Scottish leisure centre.
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.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.
The leak is believed to be sodium hypochlorite, a chemical compound used to make bleach, though . Those affected are suffering from “minor breathing irritation” and are understood not to be in a serious condition. Victims said they had seen clouds of gas and smelt a strong odour that made them cough and their eyes sting. The leak was reported to be sodium hypochlorite, a chemical compound used to make bleach, though witnesses said they believed it to be chlorine.
Those affected, including two members of staff, had minor breathing irritation and are understood not to be in a serious condition. They were taken to Ninewells hospital in Dundee after triage teams assessed people on site.
Caitlin Millar, 23, a student who was celebrating her birthday at the leisure centre, said: “I heard a loud bang and then saw gas hissing out of the pipes. There was loads of cloudy gas that was stinging everyone’s eyes and we were all coughing. It smelt really strongly of chlorine and everyone was really confused and distressed.”
She described seeing around 12 people in the pool – including several families with young children – and another dozen people in the changing room. “The staff seemed really concerned and rushed us outside,” she said. “There were about 30 or 40 of us and when the ambulances got there they gave us blankets and checked our blood oxygen levels.”
Her friend Connie Dawson, 21, said the pair had been unable to retrieve their clothes or belongings after being discharged from hospital, and had to wear hospital garments. “It was really scary and my eyes are still stinging and my throat’s sore quite a few hours after it happened,” she said.
“Obviously none of us have our clothes so I’m currently wearing hospital pyjamas and some clogs they gave me. I haven’t got any money, my phone or my house keys. They told us to ring the police about our stuff but I’m not sure when I’ll get it back.”
Millar added: “I don’t think any of us realised how serious the situation was but everyone was very scared when we saw the gas hissing out the pipes. None of us seemed to have bad side-effects but they told us to see our doctor if symptoms get worse over the next few days.”
A Fife Sports and Leisure Trust spokeswoman said all customers and staff had left the building safely without assistance. “The exact cause of the incident is still being investigated by the emergency services and there is no threat to the surrounding area,” she said. “We will continue to work with emergency services and will keep customers updated as to the status of the centre via our website.”
Firefighters in haz mat suits going in and out of the East Sands Leisure Centre St Andrews after chemical leak pic.twitter.com/MiLWd98PNCFirefighters 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.
Robert Ovenstone, a local resident, told the Courier: “This 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.”
Evacuation at East Sands Leisure Centre in St Andrews after suspected chemical leak. pic.twitter.com/YeVB8f7h4PEvacuation at East Sands Leisure Centre in St Andrews after suspected chemical leak. pic.twitter.com/YeVB8f7h4P
Scottish ambulance service said the affected would be transported to Ninewells hospital in Dundee, after triage teams assessed people on site. Chris Walker, 22, said: “It seemed pretty relaxed and as if everything was under control. The firemen weren’t dashing around and seemed to be on top of it.”
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. Sarah Somerville, a 20-year-old maths student, said she had seen emergency service personnel entering the site in hazard suits almost two hours after the incident. “There was also still a lot of emergency service people at the centre at around three o’clock, with the special suits and equipment,” she said.
“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.” “All the builders from the building site beside the leisure centre were still there and we heard that the builders were not allowed to get their vans in or out of the site.”
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.” 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 and to a University of St Andrews student accommodation development, Albany Park.
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.”
Student Chris Walker, 22, told the Guardian: “It seemed pretty relaxed and as if everything was under control. The firemen weren’t dashing around and seemed to be on top of it.
“Other than a few residents standing outside their doors there were only people from the emergency services about and they were all happy to speak to us about what had happened.”
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.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.