An explosion involving a highly flammable chemical, believed to be tetrazole, has occurred at the UCL School of Pharmacy, located within the University College London (UCL) campus. The incident resulted in one person being injured, who subsequently self-presented at University College Hospital for medical treatment. Due to the volatile nature of the chemical. Hospital bosses asked the London ambulance services to redirected to alternative hospitals for a short time.
In response to the explosion, specialist chemically trained biohazard scientists have been urgently dispatched to the site to ensure the area is safe. Emergency responders, including the police and fire services, have also been called to the scene to provide assistance.
We have reached out to the Metropolitan Police, UCL School of Pharmacy, and University College Hospital for further information and updates regarding the incident. A spokesperson for University College Hospital stated that the incident is ongoing and that they are currently unable to provide additional details at this time.
A spokesman for UCL of Pharmacy said: “Yesterday there was a minor incident involving a chemicalexperiment in a UCL School of Pharmacy laboratory. A student attended A&E as a precaution and was discharged later that day. The laboratory is closed for cleaning as a precautionary measure and as the incident was contained to one space, there is no further risk so the rest of the building is now open as usual.
The health and safety of our students and staff is always priority for UCL. We are reviewing the safety procedures of the laboratory to ensure work continues to be conducted in the safest possible manner.”
An LFB spokesperson said: “Firefighters were called to University College Hospital (UCH) and the University College London (UCL) School of Pharmacy following reports of a small explosion involving chemicals in a lab. Control Officers were first notified about the incident at 7.45pm, and it was under control by 9.40pm.
Crews carried out a sweep for dangerous chemicals at the site of the explosion on the UCL campus, whilst hospital staff led decontamination procedures at a separate location on the UCH grounds. There are no reports of any injuries at this time.
Firefighters from Euston, Soho, Bethnal Green, Islington and surrounding fire stations attended the scene. Crews worked alongside emergency service partners and hospital staff. The cause of the incident is under investigation.”
