A ‘GAS leak’ which caused the evacuation of Christchurch’s Sainsbury’s supermarket on Wednesday is believed to have been connected to an air conditioning system.
A spokesperson for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) control said they believed the ‘leak’, which resulted in staff reportedly ‘collapsing’ and three people being seen by South Western Ambulance Service, came from ‘the air conditioning unit’.
The drama unfolded at the Lyndhurst Road store at 2.40pm on Wednesday as three people - believed to include two staff members - started coughing and reported feeling light-headed.
Emergency services were called and after taking advice from the National Chemical Emergency Centre, rescue crews donned protective equipment and evacuated, then ventilated, the premises.
A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said the store re-opened yesterday morning but refused to comment on the nature of the ‘leak’, referring inquiries to DWFRS.
The Daily Echo contacted the Health and Safety Executive but they were unable to comment at the time of going to print.
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