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Fish tank fumes land 10 in hospital | Fish tank fumes land 10 in hospital |
(35 minutes later) | |
Ten people were taken to hospital after inhaling chemicals released from a fish tank in an Oxfordshire village. | Ten people were taken to hospital after inhaling chemicals released from a fish tank in an Oxfordshire village. |
The "potentially toxic" fumes were emitted from coral being cleared from an aquarium at a house Hanney Road, Steventon, on Monday evening. | The "potentially toxic" fumes were emitted from coral being cleared from an aquarium at a house Hanney Road, Steventon, on Monday evening. |
About 50 emergency services personnel attended, including a hazardous area response team and three ambulances. | About 50 emergency services personnel attended, including a hazardous area response team and three ambulances. |
Scientist Dr Mike Leahy said the people were probably exposed to "palytoxins" released by the coral. | |
Six members of a family and four firefighters were taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, and three family members were kept in overnight after suffering "flu-like symptoms" and eye irritation. | |
'Incredibly lethal' | |
TV presenter Dr Leahy said he was caught inside the police cordon while visiting his mother, who lives on the same road. | |
He said after hearing about what happened he realised the coral was likely to have released "palytoxins" that can be "incredibly lethal". | |
"In the main they're absolutely harmless but sometimes if you stress certain types of coral, they can produce a toxin," he said. | |
He added that "if ingested it can be lethal" but that inhaling fumes was far less dangerous. | |
Two dogs were also removed from the house and the remaining coral was dealt with by firefighters in "full body cover, gas-tight suits". | Two dogs were also removed from the house and the remaining coral was dealt with by firefighters in "full body cover, gas-tight suits". |
Police officers remained at the scene overnight and windows were left open to ventilate the house. | Police officers remained at the scene overnight and windows were left open to ventilate the house. |
Owen Hughes said on Twitter local residents were "told to stay indoors" by police but they were "not in any danger". | Owen Hughes said on Twitter local residents were "told to stay indoors" by police but they were "not in any danger". |
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