Store evacuated as fire releases gas

The store was evacuated while firefighters dealt with the risk

A supermarket had to be evacuated after a fire in a plant room led to the escape of a potentially toxic gas.

Eleven people - including five firefighters - were taken to hospital following the incident at the Asda store in Totton near Southampton.

The fire burnt through a high pressure supply line which was carrying freon gas, a refrigerant for the cold stores.

The gas was sucked into the Maynard Road store's air conditioning system on Sunday.

The firefighters and six members of the public were taken to hospital simply as a precautionary measure.