Nine children and two adults have been rushed to the hospital following a chlorine chemical leak at a swimming pool in the Everyone Active sports centre at Vale Farm in Sudbury, Harrow. The incident occurred earlier today, prompting an immediate response from emergency services.
The children were swimming at the popular sports centre when the alarm was raised. Emergency services, including the London Ambulance Service, the London Fire Brigade, and the Metropolitan Police, quickly arrived at the scene. The centre has been evacuated as a precaution, and police have cordoned off the area while the situation is being managed.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police provided details of the incident: “Police were called at 13:40hrs on Thursday, 29 August to reports of a chlorine leak at a pool in Watford Road, Wembley. Officers, the London Ambulance Service, and the London Fire Brigade are in attendance. The leisure centre has been evacuated as a precaution, and road closures are in place.
The London Ambulance Service confirmed that they were called at 1:34 PM to reports of the leak. We sent a number of resources to the scene, including ambulance crews, incident response officers, and members of our hazardous area response team (HART). We treated nine children and two adults at the scene before taking them all to hospital,” a spokesperson said.
Chlorine gas, which is known for its pungent, bleach-like odour, can cause significant harm when inhaled or when it comes into contact with moist tissues such as the eyes, throat, and lungs. The severity of the symptoms can vary depending on the level and duration of exposure. Individuals with asthma or other chronic lung conditions may be more susceptible to the effects of chlorine exposure.
The Vale Farm Sports Centre, located opposite Sudbury Primary School, is a well-known facility in the area, boasting two swimming pools, a state-of-the-art gym with 107 stations, and a dedicated 36-station women’s gym. The centre is operated by Sports and Leisure Management Ltd, which manages over 220 leisure and cultural centres across the UK in partnership with more than 60 local authorities.
The cause of the chlorine leak is currently under investigation, and authorities are working to ensure the safety of the public and the facility. Sports and Leisure Management Ltd has been contacted for comment on the incident.
The affected individuals are receiving medical treatment, and their conditions are being closely monitored. The incident has raised concerns in the community, particularly given the proximity of the sports centre to local schools.
