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Multiple staff members at an M&S store have reportedly been hospitalised with carbon monoxide poisoning, as major incident has been declared.
More than 30 people have been reportedly treated for suspected carbon monoxide poisoning, with 11 understood to be taken to the hospital.
Emergency services rushed to the scene of a store in Charlton, south east London, this morning.
Maxine O’Connor, 45, who works at the retail park, described scenes of ‘complete chaos’ when the drama unfolded.
She said: ‘I think it was staff who were impacted and treated and not customers. The whole place was cordoned off quickly.
‘A friend works there and said everyone was terrified. It was complete chaos.
‘They had smelt something and then some people felt unwell.
‘They don’t expect the store to open anytime soon.’
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: ‘Firefighters were called at 8.35am 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 are said to have left the building before firefighters arrived, and crews have assisted colleagues from the London Ambulance Service to treat patients at the scene.
James Johnson, Strategic Commander for the London Ambulance Service, said: ‘We were called at 9.32am today (December 16) to reports of an incident on Gallions Road, Charlton.
‘We have sent a number of resources to the scene, including both conventional ambulance resources, specialist assets such as our Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) and Advanced Paramedic Practitioners.’
He added: ‘The incident is ongoing and we are working with our emergency services partners to manage this incident and continue to deliver service in the rest of London.’
Greenwich councillor David Gardner made a statement on Facebook warning people about the incident.
He said: ‘There is a major incident this morning at M&S Charlton with 35 people being treated for carbon monoxide poisoning.
‘All three emergency services are in attendance, so best avoid the area until all clear.’
The Daily Mail have approached M&S for a comment.
This is a breaking news store. More to follow.
