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Version 5 Version 6
Fumes alert keeps Bullring closed Fumes alert keeps Bullring closed
(about 2 hours later)
Birmingham's Bullring shopping centre remains closed for a second day after a chemical scare that led to more than 30 people needing medical treatment.Birmingham's Bullring shopping centre remains closed for a second day after a chemical scare that led to more than 30 people needing medical treatment.
The centre will remain closed for the rest of the day.The centre will remain closed for the rest of the day.
The site reopened on Friday morning after being closed on Thursday but was later evacuated after seven people reported feeling unwell. It reopened on Friday morning but was evacuated after some staff felt unwell. Symptoms included minor respiratory problems, the ambulance service said.
Police said any contamination remained "unexplained" and it was not known if was from an accident or malicious act.Police said any contamination remained "unexplained" and it was not known if was from an accident or malicious act.
Ten people were taken to hospital on Thursday with many complaining of feeling dizzy and nauseous. West Midlands Police said the cause was still being investigated but it was a suspected petro-chemical-based contamination, possibly in the centre's ventilation or air conditioning systems.
After "exhaustive checks" the fire service was satisfied it was an internal problem and appeared to be confined to the building, a spokesman said.
The Bullring's management team was trying to locate the problem.
The centre was opened for access before the latest evacuation but the shops had not reopened.The centre was opened for access before the latest evacuation but the shops had not reopened.
Dizziness and vomiting A West Midlands Ambulance Service said two members of staff at the centre were suffering shortness of breath on Friday and were given oxygen before being taken to hospital for further assessment.
A spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service said seven people had been "showing symptoms". They were treated at the scene. "A further eight members of staff were suffering from nausea and minor respiratory complaints," a spokeswoman added. All eight were treated at the scene.
Louise Hamer Brown, of Bullring Marketing, said: "We are evacuated at the moment and emergency services are performing further investigations." Six security workers were treated for the effects of fumes shortly before 0400 BST on Thursday. Later, more staff complained of symptoms such as dizziness and nausea, and the centre was closed.
Edgbaston Street remains closed between Park Street and Pershore Street. A spokesman for Birmingham City Council said although the Bullring was closed all other shops, including the nearby markets, were open.
A West Midlands Police spokesman said the incident may have been caused by "some sort of petroleum-based substance" potentially contaminating the centre's ventilation or air-conditioning systems.
Six security workers were treated for the effects of fumes shortly before 0400 BST on Thursday. Later, more staff complained of fumes and the centre was closed.
A triage centre was set up away from the building to treat people for symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and water eyes and dizziness, the ambulance service said.
A spokesman for Birmingham City Council said although the Bullring is closed all other shops, including the nearby markets, were open.
Have you been affected by the chemical scare? Do you work at the Bullring? Tell us your experiences by filling in the form below.Have you been affected by the chemical scare? Do you work at the Bullring? Tell us your experiences by filling in the form below.
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