Novotel York: Staff taken to hospital after pool chemical leak

North Yorkshire Police said 16 members of staff had been affected by the chlorine leak

Seven members of staff at a hotel in York were taken to hospital for treatment after a chemical leak.

Emergency services were called to the Novotel Hotel on Fishergate shortly after 15:30 BST on Friday.

North Yorkshire Police said 16 members of staff had been affected by the leak, with seven taken to hospital with symptoms and breathing difficulties.

The hotel, which was evacuated, reopened after North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue carried out safety checks.

"We can confirm the hotel was fully evacuated on Friday afternoon as a safety precaution following a temporary spillage of chlorine solution in the back of house area near the pool," a Novotel spokesperson said.

"All areas of the building have been cleared by the fire brigade and operations are back to normal, although access to the pool is temporarily suspended."

The hotel confirmed seven staff had been taken to hospital as a precaution but had since been discharged.

"The health of our guests and colleagues remains our first priority," the spokesperson added.

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