A Sainsbury's store was evacuated this morning after people started to suffer breathing problems. The casualties have been treated by paramedics following the incident at the store in Longbridge in the West Midlands.
People have been urged to avoid the store in Longbridge Lane, in the town centre, BirminghamLive reports. The store has been closed and a cordon is in place.
West Midlands Ambulance Service said seven people had been treated for 'minor respiratory symptoms' at the scene. There have been unconfirmed reports of people 'collapsing'
The police urged anyone nearby who was feeling unwell to seek medical advice. The incident was described on the West Midlands Fire Service’s website as a “hazardous substances” incident.
Two people have since been taken to hospital after the incident. The fire service said 150 people were evacuated from the supermarket in Longbridge, south west of Birmingham, just before 10am on Friday after people in the store began suffering respiratory problems.
West Midlands Fire Service said: “Two people who were in the store have been taken to hospital. Our specialist officers are using air monitoring equipment inside the store to try and establish the cause of the incident.
“We are working closely with the store management, as well as our ambulance and police colleagues and Birmingham City Council. Around 150 people were evacuated from the store.
“A nearby college building was not evacuated, but advised to keep windows closed as a precaution.”
West Midlands Police has said in a statement: "We are currently dealing with an incident at Sainsbury's in Longbridge Lane, Longbridge. We were alerted at about 10am to reports that six people were suffering breathing problems.
"Officers attended and the store has been evacuated and people are also being cleared from other buildings in the area. The six patients are being treated by paramedics at the scene."
A spokesperson from West Midlands Fire Service said earlier: "Shortly before 10am on Friday 20 May we were alerted to an incident at the Sainsbury’s supermarket on High Street, Longbridge, Birmingham. A number of people had reported feeling unwell, with apparent breathing difficulties.
"Two fire engines and one of our 4x4 Brigade Response vehicles responded, from Northfield and Kings Norton fire stations, together with a number of officers and colleagues from the police and ambulance services.
"The store had been evacuated before we arrived. A 50-metre cordon was put in place around the store. Other premises within the cordon were also evacuated."
One witness BirminghamLive: “I saw a man on the floor outside the college. He was laying down, but was responsive. I wondered what on earth was going on?
"He was with two people. It’s crazy. I think the supermarket and the college have been evacuated. Some nearby shops to Sainsbury’s, I think Greggs, has also closed.”
This article has been updated after the ambulance service said seven people had been treated, not six. For the latest on this incident, Birmingham Live has a live blog here.
