Chemical accident at hotel spa leaves 24 people in need of treatment at Hampshire Hospital | UK news

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Chlorine gas ‘accidentally’ released at a four-star hotel and resort in Hampshire has infected 24 people – including some children – who need hospital treatment.

People at the resort began experiencing breathing problems on Monday evening, and emergency services were called at 8.44 p.m.

Firefighters went to the scene, where they found poisonous gas – notorious for its use in trenches during World War I.

Paramedics were called to the Solent Hotel and Spa in Whitley, which is located between Southampton and Portsmouth.

The guests, aged children in their fifties, were treated by emergency services at the scene, before being taken to hospital.

In the wake of the accident, the facilities were able to reopen on Tuesday morning.

A Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Services (HIWFRS) spokesperson said: “Crews were called following reports that fumes in the resort area overwhelmed a number of hotel guests after two chemicals accidentally mixed together and produced chlorine gas.

“We started immediate emergency care, set up a casualty handling area and asked the ambulance service to come.

“A vent fan was used to clean up the fumes and the firefighters took the ship containing chemicals into the fresh air. Gas monitors were used to make sure the place was safe.”

A Facebook post from the Solent Hotel & Spa read: “We can confirm that an incident occurred within the spa and fitness areas of the Solent Hotel and Spa last night.

“Our main priority is the health and well-being of our guests and team members and we have temporarily evacuated the hotel. We are pleased to say that the hotel is open and the spa and fitness facilities reopened as usual this morning.

“We thank you for your understanding and support at this time and look forward to welcoming you soon.”

Dave Graham, director of the fire service station, said: “This was a large-scale incident with multiple people requiring medical treatment for gas inhalation.

“We have worked well alongside our colleagues from the Southern Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) and the SCAS Hazardous Area Response Team (Hart) to make sure everyone gets the help they need and to ensure the scene is safe.

“We handed over the incident to the hotel administration,” he added.

A SCAS spokeswoman said: “24 patients, aged children in their 50s, were assessed and treated by our ambulance teams for breathing difficulties.

“After treatment at the scene by our crews, these patients were taken to Southampton University Hospital for further evaluation of those non-life-threatening injuries.”

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