Chemical scare leads to 200 being evacuated

Around 200 people had to be evacuated from a Black Country leisure centre after a mix-up with swimming pool chemicals led to dangerous gases being released.

Swimmers and gym users were all led out of the David Lloyd Centre in Brierley Hill because of fears they could be exposed to harmful gases. Members were not allowed back to the changing rooms and those without cars had to be kept in an annexe building – some in their swimming trunks and costumes – before being picked up by family members.

Two members of staff had to be checked over by paramedics at the scene but not one else was treated and there were no casualties.

The drama at the centre in Pensnett Road unfolded at around 1.30pm on Saturday and all staff were sent home.

Firefighters from Brierley Hill and Stourbridge were called out to ventilate the building which was reopened yesterday, although the pool area remained closed.

West Midlands Fire Service group commander Jim Sinnott said: "The chemicals mixed for the swimming pool are quote potent, obviously something went wrong and they started to give off a gas in the swimming pool plant room.

"No members of the public came to any harm, however they were not allowed back in the leisure centre and had to make arrangements to get home, so there was some chaos around that aspect."

Mr Sinnott added: "The company themselves will investigate what has happened."

The centre management would only comment to confirm the pool was still shut yesterday but confirmed the rest of the centre was open as normal.

A worker from the centre who did not want to be named said: "Work is in progress and the pool should be reopened by Wednesday."

No one from the leisure centre's management staff was available to comment today.