FOUR people were taken to hospital after being overcome by gas fumes during a chemicals incident at Darwen Leisure Centre.

The members of staff are being treated at Blackburn Royal Infirmary but are not thought to be seriously hurt.

Lancashire Ambulance Paramedic Adrian Conboy said: "The casualties inhaled some escaped gas which has caused them breathing difficulties. They have been taken to hospital as a precaution."

The incident happened at 10.15 this morning shortly after the leisure centre opened. Staff and customers were evacuated.

Five fire crews attended the scene with the incident support unit.

The alert is thought to have been caused when fumes were produced as a result of a chemical reaction in cleaning fluids used for the swimming pool.

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