A major London hospital was forced to evacuate dozens of people with nine left unwell due to a chlorine gas leak.
Firefighters rushed to Guy’s Hospital, Southwark, shortly before 9am on Thursday after chlorine was produced by the accidental mixing of chemicals in a boiler room. Around 150 people were evacuated from the basement and ground floor of the hospital.
Even small amounts of chlorine can cause irritation, and high levels can cause severe lung damage, such as toxic pneumonitis or pulmonary edema, or even death in extreme cases.
A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said nine people were attended to at the scene, with four of those treated in hospital.
Ronald Gilchrist, 50, told the Daily Express he was visiting his girlfriend in hospital when alarms started going off inside the building.
"They didn’t explain what was going on. Because I knew someone that worked at the hospital that’s how I found out. It wasn't chaos, everyone was just told to leave outside,” he said.
Images show crowds of people outside the building, with an elderly woman with a walking stick seen being escorted by a firefighter. Hospital workers could be seen standing around talking next to an ambulance as firefighters headed inside to tackle the issue.
Witness Philippa Garrott also told the publication: “I saw several fire engines and ambulances parked outside the Shard exit of London Bridge Station this morning, at about 9.45am.
“All of Guy's Hospital staff appeared to have been evacuated out onto St Thomas Street, and there were various police/fire cordons in place. Someone appeared to be covered with wet towels and blankets.”
Guy's Hospital is a major elective centre with 400 beds, specialising in cancer, kidney, urology and dental care, as well as ear, nose and throat and orthopaedics.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “The incident is believed to have been caused by the mixing of chemicals inside a plant room which produced a chlorine gas.
“One person was injured as a result of a chemical reaction. Several people, who came to the aid of the person, have been treated for the inhalation of chlorine gas.
“Firefighters have carried out a sweep of the area to check for no elevated readings of chlorine gas. The building has also been ventilated.
“Crews also supported with the precautionary evacuation of the basement and ground floors of the building.
“Two fire engines, two fire rescue units, a command unit and specialist hazardous materials officers attended the scene.”
A spokesperson for Guy's and St Thomas's said the incident happened in a “non-patient area”.
"One staff member was injured and several people, who came to the aid of the person, were treated for the inhalation of chlorine gas,” they added.
"The site has now reopened and people should attend their appointments unless they are contacted by us directly."
