An M&S store in London has been closed following a suspected carbon monoxide incident which has seen a number of people hospitalised.
Emergency services were called to the scene of the Charlton branch of Marks And Spencer in south east London at 9.32am on Tuesday to reports of a suspected carbon monoxide incident; around 35 people had left the building as two fire engines and two fire rescue units attended the store.
Paramedics treated 30 people for chemical inhalation at the scene; 11 patients were taken to hospital while 19 were discharged at the scene. Incident response officers, paramedics and ambulance crews attended the scene.
Members of the London Ambulance Service, London Fire Brigade and Metropolitan Police were all in attendance.
James Johnson, Strategic Commander for the London Ambulance Service, said: “We were called at 9.32am today (16 December) to reports of a suspected carbon monoxide incident on Gallions Road, Charlton.
“We sent a number of resources to the scene including ambulance crews, incident response officers, paramedics in fast response cars, advanced paramedics and paramedics from our hazardous area response team (HART).
“We treated 30 people for chemical inhalation. We took 11 patients to hospital and discharged 19 patients at the scene.”
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “Firefighters were called at 8.35am today (16 December) to a suspected carbon monoxide leak at a shop on Gallions Road in Charlton.
“Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus have used specialist equipment to carry out a systematic sweep of the building and found elevated readings of carbon monoxide. Crews have carried out further sweeps to check for no elevated readings. They have also completed a ventilation of the building.
“Around 35 people left the building before firefighters arrived and crews have assisted colleagues from the London Ambulance Service to treat a number of patients at the scene.
“Two fire engines and two fire rescue units were sent to the scene.”
Local councillor David Llewellyn Gardner called it a “major incident” on Facebook, although emergency services have not declared one. He urged people to “avoid the area until all clear.”
An M&S spokesperson said: “Our Charlton store is temporarily closed as we investigate an incident that happened earlier this morning. We hope to reopen as soon as possible.”
