Panic gripped a south-east London shopping district this morning as a ‘major incident’ unfolded at a popular department store. Emergency services descended upon the M&S location in Charlton after alarms signaled a potential carbon monoxide leak, triggering a swift and dramatic evacuation.
Initial reports painted a frightening picture, with eyewitness accounts describing terrified shoppers being ushered out of the building. The situation quickly escalated, prompting a large-scale response from paramedics and specialist teams.
Local councillor David Gardner first alerted the public to the severity of the situation via social media, initially stating that 35 individuals were receiving treatment for suspected carbon monoxide poisoning. The news spread rapidly, fueling anxieties within the community.
The scope of the incident was later clarified, revealing that while no customers were affected, over 40 staff members had been exposed to the gas. Six employees were transported to a nearby hospital for further evaluation, though authorities emphasized that their conditions were not believed to be life-threatening.
A Strategic Commander from the London Ambulance Service confirmed they received the first call at 9:32 AM, deploying a comprehensive range of resources including conventional ambulances, a Hazardous Area Response Team (HART), and Advanced Paramedic Practitioners to the scene.
The store is expected to remain closed for at least a couple of days while engineers work to identify and repair the source of the leak, ensuring the safety of both staff and future customers. A thorough investigation is underway to determine the cause of the incident and prevent similar occurrences.
The swift response of emergency services undoubtedly prevented a potentially far more serious outcome. The focus now shifts to a complete assessment of the building’s ventilation systems and a comprehensive safety review.
