‘Major incident’ as 11 hospitalised at London M&S after carbon monoxide leak
An M&S store in London has been closed following a suspected carbon monoxide incident that sent several people to hospital.
Emergency services were called to the Charlton branch of Marks And Spencer in South East London at 9.32am on Tuesday to reports of a suspected carbon monoxide incident; Approximately 35 people left the building as two fire trucks and two fire rescue teams attended the store.
Paramedics treated 30 people for chemical inhalation at the scene; While 11 patients were hospitalized, 19 people were discharged at the scene. Paramedics, paramedics and ambulance crews arrived at the scene.
Members of the London Ambulance Service, London Fire Brigade and Metropolitan Police were all in attendance.
London Ambulance Service Strategic Commander James Johnson 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 rapid response cars, advanced paramedics and paramedics from our hazardous area response team (HART).
“We treated 30 people due to chemical poisoning. We took 11 patients to the hospital and discharged 19 patients at the scene.”
A London Fire Brigade spokesman said: “Firefighters were called at 8.35am today (December 16) to a suspected carbon monoxide leak at a shop on Gallions Road in Charlton.
“Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used special equipment to systematically scan the building and found high carbon monoxide values. The teams carried out further scans to check for high values. They also completed the ventilation of the building.
“Around 35 people left the building before firefighters arrived and crews assisted colleagues at the London Ambulance Service to treat some patients at the scene.
“2 fire trucks and 2 fire crews were dispatched to the scene.”
Local councilor David Llewellyn Gardner described the incident on Facebook as a “major incident”, but emergency services did not publicize it. He urged people to “stay away from the area until it is completely cleared.”
An M&S spokesman said: “Our Charlton store is temporarily closed as we investigate an incident that occurred in the early hours of this morning. We hope to reopen as soon as possible.”
