'All clear' at gas leak pool

The pool area has now been declared safe

Emergency crews have given the all clear at a leisure centre where dozens of people were affected by a leak of toxic gas.

Fire officers have been carrying out checks at the Time Capsule swimming pool in Coatbridge to ensure the centre is free of fumes.

Nearly 50 people were taken to hospital on Thursday after they were overcome by chlorine gas at the Lanarkshire complex.

All 19 people who were detained in hospital overnight following the escape have now been released.

Firefighters had to use breathing apparatus

Strathclyde Fire Brigade worked to neutralise hazardous fumes in the centre before it was handed back to the control of North Lanarkshire Council for intensive cleaning.

The all clear meant inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive were allowed into the building on Friday morning.

Two HSE officials were due to spend the day talking to staff and witnesses at the pool about the incident.

The centre remains closed until further notice.

Up to 80 people inside the centre on Thursday morning were evacuated after clouds of gas began filling the swimming pool area as cleaning chemicals were being delivered by an outside contractor.

The investigation was expected to look at whether human error or a failure with the pool's cleaning system was to blame for the incident.

'Open mind'

An HSE spokeswoman said: "The inspectors will look at the scene of the accident and will try to find out why so many people were affected.

"The inspectors will speak to the manager of the building, to staff and to witnesses who were there yesterday.

"They will go in with an open mind and they will see what their investigations throw up."

Nearby hospitals treated 48 people after the incident.

Nineteen people, including two young sisters, were kept in Monklands District General Hospital, Airdrie, overnight.

They had been detained for observation after suffering symptoms like sore throats, a tightening of the chest and breathing difficulties.

This is the truck which delivered chemicals

Staff at the Time Capsule, which boasts a swimming pool and ice rink, were praised for their quick actions in evacuating the building within three minutes of the alarm being raised.

Medical experts said casualties could have been much worse if people inside had been exposed to the gas for longer.

Afterwards, emergency services and the local authority said their procedures to deal with an event of this kind had worked very well.

North Lanarkshire Council, which owns the £16m centre which opened in 1991, said officials would assist the HSE investigators.

The complex, which attracts 650,000 visitors a year, was expected to remain closed over the weekend.

A council spokeswoman said: "The building has been given the all-clear by the emergency services and the Health and Safety Executive will begin its investigation with the help of the council.

"A decision will be taken soon as to when the attraction will open again to the public."