MARK McLAUGHLIN
Edinburgh Evening News
26 February 2010
A TOXIC gas escape left four people hospitalised in the third chemical incident to occur at a city swimming pool this week.
The Omni Centre, on Greenside Row, was evacuated yesterday when chemicals were released next to the swimming pool in Virgin Active gym at around 2pm. Around 200 people were rushed from the building, many of them still in their swimwear, while a major chemical response team of police, fire and ambulance crews attempted to contain the leak and tended to those affected.
The incident comes just two days after a chemical spill at Drumsheugh Baths Club, in the New Town, hospitalised a member of staff. He was left "struggling for breath" following exposure to chemical chlorine spilt on the floor of a maintenance cupboard.
Two days earlier, swimmers at Leith Waterworld had to leave the water after complaining of stinging eyes and reddened skin following an apparent over-use of chlorine in the water.
The latest incident at Virgin Active was caused by incorrectly mixed chemicals in a maintenance cupboard close to the pool.
Hotelier John Campbell, 42, who was left shivering outside the gym in his shorts, said: "The fumes were coming from the swimming pool and I, completely obliviously, was having a boxing session next door. All of a sudden there was this blaring klaxon and the lights went off and everyone was running around like headless chickens.
"They evacuated everyone pretty quickly and I feel lucky I'm not one of the people in an ambulance."
Evacuees were given shelter in the Calton Square building.
Group manager (operations) David Blair, of Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue, said: "There was a small chemical leak within Virgin Active caused by a mix of chemicals which produced a small amount of chlorine gas.
"The gas is toxic so, as a precaution, the building was evacuated. However, following scientific advice we have discovered the amount of gas was not enough to cause widespread harm, although some members of staff who were directly exposed to the gas suffered some discomfort.
"Basically, this incident was caused by staff putting two chemicals together that aren't supposed to go together."
Once the gas escape was analysed, two firemen wearing bright green hazmat (hazardous materials) suits entered the building to contain the chemicals.
Police cordoned off the outside lane of the busy Picardy Place roundabout junction for several hours to accommodate the dozens of emergency service vehicles on standby outside.
A Virgin Active spokesman said : "Senior Virgin Active personnel are now conducting an investigation into the circumstances of the incident and until this is complete we will not be in a position to provide further details.
"Currently the pool and spa area are closed as a precaution, with the remainder of the club having been reopened after consultation with the authorities."
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