Fifteen people hurt in leisure centre 'chlorine leak'

Fifteen people have been taken to hospital after a "suspected chlorine leak" prompted the evacuation of a leisure centre in Derby, the fire service said.

Emergency services were called to the Moorways Sports Village and Water Park in Moor Lane, Allenton, at about 13:40 BST on Thursday.

Firefighters from the city and Stapleford in Nottinghamshire remain on site alongside a specialist environmental protection unit from Nottingham, alongside East Midlands Ambulance Service and police.

The brigade said 15 people had been taken to hospital "for precautionary checks".

The brigade initially said "around 12 people" were being assessed by paramedics after experiencing breathing difficulties.

Osmaston Park Road was closed to the junction with Moor Lane with drivers asked to avoid the area if possible.

People evacuated from the centre have since been allowed inside to collect their possessions.

Fire crews said at about 17:00 they were assisting with the ventilation of the leisure centre.

Moorways has told customers it will remain closed "for the rest of today".

In a statement online, it said: "All swimming lessons, water park visits and any other bookings for today are cancelled. We apologise for any inconvenience caused."

A spokesperson for Derby City Council said it was "aware of an incident" and was "working closely with Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service and our emergency partners to support the team at Everyone Active, who manage the centre on behalf of Derby City Council".

One mother, who had taken her children to the centre on Thursday afternoon, said: "As we pulled in, we parked and got out and there was a little boy really coughing outside the swimming pool, we thought 'goodness me'.

"We walked up to the entrance and there was another man coughing.

"We stood in a long queue and started to think there was something wrong, as there were lots of lifeguards around and people coughing and spluttering.

"We got to the front of the queue and they said we're evacuating, and only at that point did they sound the siren."

Outside, towels were being handed out and after the fire brigade arrived crews started to give oxygen to people, she added.

"We saw streams of people coming out of the swimming pool, just in their swimming costumes," she said. "Thank goodness it's a warm day.

"Our eyes were stinging a little bit. There were lots of police cars and fire engines arriving, we just hope everyone's OK."

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