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| Shoppers hurt in refrigerator gas leak in Hampshire | Shoppers hurt in refrigerator gas leak in Hampshire |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| More than 60 people were examined by paramedics after breathing in gas from a leaking refrigerator at a food store. | More than 60 people were examined by paramedics after breathing in gas from a leaking refrigerator at a food store. |
| Hundreds of customers and staff were evacuated from the Sainsbury's and Marks and Spencer stores at Hedge End, near Southampton, at about 17:00 BST. | |
| The fire service said 62 people had been checked over at the retail park and one person was taken to hospital. | The fire service said 62 people had been checked over at the retail park and one person was taken to hospital. |
| A spokesman said the gas was "non toxic" and they were "quite happy that there's no risk to the public". | A spokesman said the gas was "non toxic" and they were "quite happy that there's no risk to the public". |
| The gas has been identified as a coolant from one of the refrigerator units inside Sainsbury's. | |
| 'Frog in throat' | 'Frog in throat' |
| Richard Hillier, who was in the store at the time, told the BBC: "I was walking past one of the aisles and noticed a few people coughing. | |
| "As I walked past them I began coughing and haven't stopped. | "As I walked past them I began coughing and haven't stopped. |
| "Basically, it feels like a frog in the throat that can't be cleared. Just a strange experience, I'll consult the local GP tomorrow if symptoms remain." | |
| Most people were treated by paramedics at the scene and discharged, but one person was taken to hospital "as a precaution". | Most people were treated by paramedics at the scene and discharged, but one person was taken to hospital "as a precaution". |
| "We're at a point now we're quite happy that there's no risk to the public and there's no health warning," the fire spokesman said. | "We're at a point now we're quite happy that there's no risk to the public and there's no health warning," the fire spokesman said. |
| "We're in the process of handing it back to the owners of the premises. | "We're in the process of handing it back to the owners of the premises. |
| "We'd ask the public to stay away from this area for the time being while we're finalising the incident." | "We'd ask the public to stay away from this area for the time being while we're finalising the incident." |
| The Marks and Spencer store was also evacuated as it shares a heating duct with the food shop. | The Marks and Spencer store was also evacuated as it shares a heating duct with the food shop. |
| A spokeswoman for the chain said a total of 100 staff had been evacuated from the store, of which 40 had been treated as a precaution. | A spokeswoman for the chain said a total of 100 staff had been evacuated from the store, of which 40 had been treated as a precaution. |
| Stores closed | Stores closed |
| She said: "We were advised by police to evacuate our Hedge End store following the detection of a gas leak in an adjacent store. | She said: "We were advised by police to evacuate our Hedge End store following the detection of a gas leak in an adjacent store. |
| "The store remains closed and we are supporting the emergency services. | |
| "It is understood the leak has now been dealt with and emergency services were beginning to leave the scene." | "It is understood the leak has now been dealt with and emergency services were beginning to leave the scene." |
| After the alarm was raised, firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the Sainsbury's store to examine it and the area around the shops was cordoned off. | After the alarm was raised, firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the Sainsbury's store to examine it and the area around the shops was cordoned off. |
| A Sainsbury's spokesman said: "Our Hedge End store was evacuated earlier this evening. The store will remain closed tonight. | |
| "However following air quality checks the emergency services have confirmed the site is safe." | |
| The Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth and Southampton General Hospital earlier said they were preparing to receive patients if needed. | The Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth and Southampton General Hospital earlier said they were preparing to receive patients if needed. |
| Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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