Bank staff fall ill after 'funny smell' as ambulances rush to 'hazmat incident'

29 August 2023 , 14:24

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Workers at a bank in Nuneaton have fallen ill sparking an 'hazmat' incident with emergency crew rushing to the scene

One man has been hospitalised as a total of 10 people fell ill at a high street bank after a 'funny smell' sparked a 'hazmat' incident.

Part of Nuneaton town centre, in north Warwickshire, has been cordoned off outside the Santander bank this afternoon. Ambulances, fire engines and police cars are currently at the scene. All patients are understood to be bank staff.

Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service said it received a 999 call to a minor 'hazmat incident' and two crews have been sent to the scene. They added there were reports of a 'funny smell' inside the bank that had made people feel ill so fire crews are currently ventilating the building.

The remaining nine patients, six women and three men, were assessed and discharged at the scene. A bank spokesperson said a "potential safety issue" was detected during "routine works" and the branch was closed as a precaution.

West Midlands Ambulance Service said it was called to the incident in Newdegate Street at 12.26pm and sent three ambulances, a paramedic officer and the Trust’s Hazardous Area Response Team to the scene.

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A statement said: "Crews arrived to find ten patients complaining of feeling unwell. One of them, a man, was assessed and treated at the scene before being taken to George Eliot Hospital in a stable condition. The remaining nine patients, six women and three men, were assessed and discharged at the scene."

A Santander spokesperson said: "During routine works at our Nuneaton branch earlier today a potential safety issue was detected and as a precaution the branch was closed. We are sorry for any inconvenience this causes our customers. The local post office in Nuneaton is just 100 yards from the Santander branch where customers can do everyday banking activities including cash deposits, while the nearest Santander branch is in Coventry."

Claire Harrison