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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Sophie Halle-Richards

Stockport swimming pool taped off and evacuated after suspected chlorine leak

A major emergency service response was prompted at a swimming pool in Stockport amid concerns over a suspected chlorine leak.

Police, paramedics and fire crews were called to Life Leisure Grand Central on Wellington Road on Friday evening (September 16).

GMP have since confirmed they were called to a suspected chlorine issue but that this was a false alarm. They said the incident was triggered by a child having a 'panic attack' in the pool.

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A number of emergency vehicles were seen parked outside the swimming pool, as parents described being evacuated from the leisure centre and sent to a nearby Premier Inn.

The M.E.N understands fire crews were called to a 'chemical, biological, radioactive or nuclear incident', but were stood down after it emerged to be a false alarm.

A sign on the swimming pool's front entrance this evening said 'closed until further notice.' In a statement, Life Leisure said the facility is expected to reopen tomorrow (Saturday 17 September).

One eyewitness described coming home to his apartment near the swimming pool to find dozens of emergency service vehicles in attendance.

He said: "I arrived home and as I was walking to my apartment I saw an ambulance pull up. They appeared to be attending someone.

"I thought nothing of it and continued into my apartment. About 5 minutes later, dozens of emergency vehicles arrived, they blocked off Station Street entirely, nobody was allowed to walk through to get to the train station, everyone had to enter the train station through the back entrance in Edgeley.

"It was very serious, police weren't letting anyone close to the scene. I saw a whole family waiting for the bus with their swim suites on still."

Greater Manchester Fire Service and North West Ambulance Service have been approached for comment.

In a statement, the CEO of Life Leisure said: "An incident occurred at Grand Central Pools this evening, Friday 16th September, which resulted in the Emergency Services attending and advising that the facility be evacuated as a precaution.

"Following their inspection, all Emergency Services were stood down and a review of the incident is now being undertaken by the management team. The facility will reopen as normal on Saturday 17th September."

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