Nine people had to be taken to hospital after a chemical incident produced unsafe fumes at a West London gym.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) were called at 8.35pm to Gold's Gym on Uxbridge Road in Ealing on Monday after a mixture of chemicals produced chlorine gas.
Around 70 people had to be evacuated before firefighters from Ealing, Southall and Wembley attended the scene.
A 25 metre cordon was put in place and firefighters wearing hazardous materials suits cleaned up a chemical spillage inside a plant room.
A suspected chemical leak in Hanwell Golds Gym leads to gymgoers being evacuated pic.twitter.com/5lip48Dvtb
— UB1UB2 West London (Southall) (@UB1UB2) December 11, 2023
The LFB helped ventilate the building after elevated readings of chlorine gas were found.
The London Ambulance Service took nine people to hospital after they were treated at the scene.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “Most cleaning chemicals are either acid or alkali based – and if they were to be mixed, there is a very real risk that there will be a chemical reaction.
“This reaction can often release a harmful, irritable or even toxic gas which can have an incredibly strong smell and have a harmful effect on anyone breathing in these gases, especially the young and the elderly.
"Inhaling this gas can cause breathing difficulties as well as choking and irritation of the airway. The gas can also cause eyes to water and, in stronger concentrations, can cause loss of consciousness.
“If you accidentally cause this chemical reaction, it is vital you leave the premises immediately and call 999.”
