m&s workers 'smelt something funny' before 'carbon monoxide leak' at charlton store

A suspected carbon monoxide incident happened at a Charlton M&S store this morning (Picture: George Cracknell Wright)

Thirty people were treated after a suspected carbon monoxide leak at a M&S store this morning.

Emergency services rushed to the shop in Carlton,south-east London,after an alarm was raised.

One retail worker Maxine O’Connor,45,  told the Daily Mail about the chaos.

Firefighters were advised to avoid Gallions Road until the all-clear is given (Picture: UKNIP)

She said: ‘I think it was staff who were impacted and treated and not customers. The whole place was cordoned off quickly.

‘A friend works there and said everyone was terrified. It was complete chaos.

‘They had smelt something and then some people felt unwell.

‘They don’t expect the store to open anytime soon.’

Greenwich councillor David Gardner shared the incident on Facebook,saying that 35 people were being treated for carbon monoxide poisoning,however,the London Ambulance Service has since confirmed it was 30.

The London Fire Brigade was also called to the store this morning.

A London Fire Brigade Spokesperson said: ‘Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus have used specialist equipment to carry out a systematic sweep of the building and found elevated readings of carbon monoxide.

‘Crews have carried out further sweeps to check for no elevated readings. They have also completed a ventilation of the building.

Emergency services rushed to the scene this morning (Picture: George Cracknell Wright)

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London Ambulance Service said 11 patients were taken to hospital (Picture: George Cracknell Wright)

‘Around 35 people left the building before firefighters arrived and crews have assisted colleagues from the London Ambulance Service to treat a number of patients at the scene.

‘Two fire engines and two fire rescue units were sent to the scene.’

What is carbon monoxide poisoning?

Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that can make someone seriously ill if it is breathed in.You cannot tell if the gas is around you because it is colourless and does not smell.Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headache,dizziness,feeling or being sick,feeling weak,confusion,shortness of breath,chest and muscle pain.These symptoms may get worse when you spend time in an affected room and get better when you leave or go outside.Common household appliances used for heating and cooking can produce carbon monoxide if they are not installed properly,are faulty or are poorly maintained.If you think you have carbon monoxide poisoning,you should stop using the appliances you think might be the cause,open any windows and doors to let fresh air in and go outside.You should also get medical advice as soon as possible.Treatment at hospital typically consists of being given oxygen through a mask.Source: NHSStrategic Commander for the London Ambulance Service,James Johnson,said: ‘We were called at 9.32am today (16 December) to reports of a suspected carbon monoxide incident on Gallions Road,Charlton.‘We sent a number of resources to the scene including ambulance crews,incident response officers,paramedics in fast response cars,advanced paramedics and paramedics from our hazardous area response team (HART).The carbon monoxide leak happened at a M&S store in Charlton (Picture: Metro)‘We treated 30 people for chemical inhalation. We took 11 patients to hospital and discharged 19 patients at the scene.’A spokesperson from M&S said: ‘Our Charlton store is temporarily closed as we’re investigating the incident that happened earlier this morning.’