Crook Log Leisure Centre in Bexleyheath evacuated as firefighters deal with chemical spill
Published: 17:36, 08 March 2022
Updated: 19:08, 08 March 2022
A chemical spill at a leisure centre led to it being evacuated as well as leaving two people in hospital.
Firefighters have been dealing with the incident for the past two-and-a-half hours since the call came in at 3pm.
A spokesman for London Fire Brigade confirmed crews were called after a smell of chemicals was found inside the centre in Brampton Road and 60 people were forced to leave because of the incident.
A mix of chemicals is reported to have leaked from containers inside the building but it has not been confirmed exactly what these were.
Paramedics from London Ambulance Service took two people to hospital.
Two fire engines and two fire rescue units were sent to the scene and the incident remains ongoing.
All of the people using the centre had left it by the time crews arrived.
Crews wearing hazmat suits entered the building to assess the level of contamination.
A fire service spokesman said: "Firefighters have implemented a 25m hazard zone and crews are carrying out a sweep of the building to determine if there are any elevated chemical readings."
In a post to customers, the leisure centre said it would be closed until further notice.
A statement said: "Due to unforeseeable circumstances the centre is closed until further notice.
"We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
"We are in the process of contacting customers booked into activities we will keep you updated once we have further information.
"Thank you for your patience."
A spokesman for London Ambulance Service said three people were treated at the scene and two transferred to hospital.
The spokesman added: "We sent members of our hazardous area response team, a command support vehicle, an incident response officer and an ambulance crew.
"We treated a third person at the scene, however they declined further treatment. They were given clear advice about ringing 999 or 111 back if their condition changed."
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Matt Leclere