Gym evacuated after chemical incident suspected

People reported feeling unwell after a suspected chemical incident at M Club in Stoke-on-Trent

Thirteen people have been treated in hospital for respiratory symptoms following a suspected chemical incident at a gym.

They reported feeling unwell on Tuesday evening after visiting M Club Spa and Fitness on Festival Way, Stoke-on-Trent. The gym was later evacuated, police said.

The patients were treated for respiratory symptoms at Royal Stoke University Hospital, University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) confirmed.

M Club said the gym was closed for investigation on Wednesday after "unexpected events" and apologised for the inconvenience.

Simon Evans, UHNM chief operating officer, said: “Royal Stoke University Hospital treated 13 people with respiratory symptoms last night following a suspected chemical incident."

He added all patients were seen and treated quickly and effectively.

West Midlands Ambulance Service had taken two of the patients to hospital after being called to four addresses in Stoke-on-Trent from 20:25 BST on Tuesday.

The service said a man and a teenager were taken to hospital while two other people were treated and discharged at home.

Staffordshire Police said other people made their own way to hospital.

The gym was evacuated shortly after 22:30 BST while an investigation was carried out, a police spokesperson added.

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service said basic safety testing was done but no health and safety concerns were found.

A Facebook post from M Club Spa and Fitness said the club would be closed on Wednesday "due to unexpected events yesterday evening leading to an early closure and further investigation being planned".

The firm said members would be kept up to date regarding the site’s reopening and added its branch in Newcastle-under-Lyme would be open as normal.

“Apologies for any inconvenience this causes,” the statement added.