Several people were affected after a
“potential chemical leak”at Moorways Sports Village and Water Park in Derby on Thursday, the fire service said. Emergency services were called to the leisure centre in Moor Lane, Allenton, at about 13:40 BST, and the building was evacuated.
Firefighters from the city and Stapleford in Nottinghamshire were at the scene alongside a specialist environmental protection unit from Nottingham, East Midlands Ambulance Service and police. The brigade said
“around 12 people”were being assessed by paramedics after experiencing breathing difficulties.
Osmaston Park Road is currently closed to the junction with Moor Lane, and drivers are being asked to avoid the area if possible. People who were evacuated from the centre have been allowed back inside to collect their possessions.
Moorways said it would 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”.
What did witnesses see at the centre?
One mother, who had taken her children to the centre on Thursday afternoon, said she saw a boy coughing outside the swimming pool shortly after arriving. She said another man was also coughing as they walked towards the entrance, and that the situation became clearer as they joined a long queue near the front desk.
“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.”
She said towels were being handed out outside and that, after the fire brigade arrived, crews began giving oxygen to people. She added that she saw streams of people leaving the swimming pool wearing only their swimming costumes.
“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.”
How can people follow updates from Derby?
BBC Radio Derby is available on Sounds, and people can follow BBC Derby on Facebook, X and Instagram. Story ideas can be sent to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.
Key Facts
- The incident happened at Moorways Sports Village and Water Park in Moor Lane, Allenton, at about 13:40 BST on Thursday.
- Emergency services said around 12 people were being assessed by paramedics after breathing difficulties.
- Osmaston Park Road is closed to the junction with Moor Lane.
- Moorways said all swimming lessons, water park visits and other bookings for Thursday were cancelled.
