- Are YOU at the scene? Email freya.barnes@dailymail.co.uk
A chemical explosion at a major London hospital sparked a mass evacuation this morning after an engineer reportedly ‘accidentally mixed up chlorine and sulphuric acid’ in the basement.
Firefighters rushed to Guy’s Hospital in central London after the London Fire Brigade received a call at 8.49am.
Some 150 people were evacuated from the basement and ground floor levels by firefighters and hospital staff.
A police officer at the scene said there was a ‘chemical leak in the basement’ that was ‘potentially quite dangerous’, but said it has ‘just reopened now’.
The cop said an ‘engineer accidentally mixed chlorine with sulphuric acid and it totally exploded’.
Another officer said it has ‘all been cleared’ and is ‘absolutely no risk to anybody’.
However, he confirmed people have been taken to hospital but didn’t know exactly how many.
Social media footage shows a man on crutches and an elderly woman being guided out of the building, whilst images show crowds of people on Stainer Street outside the hospital.
Hospital workers could be seen standing around talking next to an ambulance as firefighters headed inside to tackle the issue.
London Fire Brigade (LFB) crews from Whitechapel, Dowgate, Euston and surrounding fire stations were sent to the scene.
Firefighters worked to ventilate the building with two fire engines, two Fire Rescue Units, a Command Unit and specialist hazardous materials officers in attendance.
The LFB said the incident was over for firefighters as of 11.09am.
The main entrance has been cordoned off with yellow tape with emergency service workers huddled around an ambulance.
An eyewitness said she saw someone who appeared to be ‘covered with wet towels/blankets’.
She also said she saw ‘several’ fire engines and ambulances ‘parked outside the Shard exit of London Bridge Station’ at about 9.45am.
Road maps show a road closure currently in place on Weston Street which runs parallel to the hospital.
The statement from the LFB said: ‘Firefighters responded to reports of a chemical incident at Guys Hospital.
‘Two fire engines, two Fire Rescue Units, a Command Unit and specialist hazardous materials officers attended the scene.
‘Crews carried out operations to ventilate the building and supported the precautionary evacuation of the basement and ground floor levels of the hospital.
‘The Brigade was first called about the incident at 0849, with crews from Whitechapel, Dowgate, Euston and surrounding fire stations sent to the scene.
‘The incident was over for firefighters by 1109.’
Daily Mail has approached the London Ambulance Service for comment.
