Tejal Somvanshi
Around 150 people were safely evacuated from the basement and ground floor areas of Guy’s Hospital this morning after chemicals mixed inside a plant room and produced chlorine gas. The London Fire Brigade (LFB) was first called at 08:49 BST, and the incident was over for firefighters by 11:09.
Firefighters carried out operations to ventilate the building, with specialist hazardous materials officers conducting sweeps to check for no elevated readings of chlorine gas. Parts of St Thomas Street behind London Bridge railway station were closed to traffic during the incident.
LFB deployed a significant response including two fire engines, two fire rescue units, a command unit, and hazardous materials officers to the London Bridge site. London Ambulance Service resources were also at the scene.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “Firefighters have carried out a sweep of the area to check for no elevated readings of chlorine gas. The building has also been ventilated. Crews also supported with the precautionary evacuation of the basement and ground floors of the building.”
For patients with appointments today, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust has confirmed that the site has reopened. A spokesperson for the Trust stated: “The London Fire Brigade attended a chemical incident in a non-patient area of Guy’s Hospital today. One staff member was injured and several people, who came to the aid of the person, were treated for the inhalation of chlorine gas. The site has now reopened and people should attend their appointments unless they are contacted by us directly.”
Chemical incidents involving chlorine gas require careful handling due to potential respiratory risks. Even small amounts of chlorine gas can lead to irritation in the eyes, throat, and lungs, while exposure to high levels can be fatal.
The London Ambulance Service attended with various resources including ambulance crews, an incident response officer, a paramedic in a fast response car, an emergency planning officer, and paramedics from their hazardous area response team. They treated nine people at the scene, taking four patients to hospital and discharging the other five on site.
The hospital evacuation primarily affected basement and ground floor areas. The incident occurred in a non-patient area of the hospital.
One staff member was injured as a result of the chemical reaction, while several people who came to the aid of this individual were treated for chlorine gas inhalation.
What we currently know:
- Evacuation of approximately 150 people from basement and ground floor areas
- Incident reported at 08:49 BST and resolved by about 11:09
- LFB ventilated the building and checked for elevated chlorine gas readings
- Parts of St Thomas Street were closed during the incident
What has been confirmed:
- Cause identified as chemicals mixing in a plant room, producing chlorine gas
- Nine people treated – four hospitalized and five discharged at scene
- Hospital has reopened with normal appointment scheduling
- Patients should attend appointments unless contacted directly by the hospital
Guy’s Hospital continues to work with emergency services to ensure safe conditions for patients and staff. Guy’s is a major elective center with 400 beds, specializing in cancer, kidney, urology and dental care, as well as ear, nose and throat and orthopaedics.
