Hazmat incident declared at Santander bank as staff fall ill after ‘funny smell’
- Santander said the branch was closed due to a potential safety issue
Emergency services including firefighters and ambulances have been scrambled to a Santander bank in Nuneaton following reports of a ‘funny smell.’
Several members of the staff at the bank reported feeling unwell in the lead up to the incident which Santander has told MailOnline was a ‘potential safety issue.’
The area immediately surrounding the bank has also been cordoned off while authorities carry out investigations.
Firefighters have been seen ventilating the bank building while police officers stand guard at the perimeter of the affected area.
Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service have since described the situation as a ‘minor hazmat’ incident while West Midlands Ambulance service have said they are ‘assessing a number of patients.’
The area immediately surrounding the bank has also been cordoned off while authorities carry out investigations
Santander has said there is as of yet no decision on when the branch will reopen.
A spokesman for Warwickshire Fire service said: ‘We were alerted at 13:54 on Tuesday 29 August to reports of a hazardous substance in the Nuneaton Branch of Santander on Newdegate Street in the Town.
‘Two crews attended the scene from Nuneaton and, on arrival, found a12m x 7m building consisting of 3 floors, with the presence of hazardous gas and an unpleasant smell throughout.
‘Crews stayed at the scene for just over two hours to ventilate the property. Warwickshire Police put in place a precautionary safety cordon around the location and Warwickshire Ambulance Service attended to treat four people who suffered ill-effects from inhaling the gas.’
A Santander spokesperson said: ‘During routine works at our Nuneaton branch earlier today a potential safety issue was detected and as a precaution the branch was closed.
‘We are sorry for any inconvenience this causes our customers.
‘The local post office in Nuneaton is just 100 yards from the Santander branch where customers can do everyday banking activities including cash deposits, while the nearest Santander branch is in Coventry.’
The bank has said there is as of yet no decision on when the branch will reopen.
MailOnline has approached Warwickshire Fire Service for more information.
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