A major incident has been declared within the Olympic Park in London after noxious fumes left a number of people unable to breathe.
Emergency vehicles have been descending on the Aquatics Centre at the park in Stratford, East London, this morning following a potential gas explosion.
Fire and Rescue services have been the first responders to the incident along with the assistance of police after the “release of noxious fumes” led to “number of patients” needing treatment shortly after 11am.
London Ambulance Service said: “We are responding to an incident at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and have a number of resources on scene.”
The centre was one of the main venues for the London Olympic Games in 2012, and was used for swimming, diving and synchronised swimming.
London Fire Brigade said: “Firefighters are dealing with reports of a chemical incident at Aquatics Centre on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. @Ldn_Ambulance are treating a number of patients.”
The official Twitter for the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park said: “There has been an incident @AquaticsCentre this morning involving the release of a gas.
“The area has been cordoned off and evacuated. We’re working with emergency services on site. There are a number of casualties with breathing difficulties being treated by @Ldn_Ambulance “.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan urged Londoners to avoid the area while he liaised with emergency services, according to Mirror Online.
He wrote on Twitter: “I remain in close contact with our emergency services who are dealing with a gas-related incident at the London Aquatics Centre this morning.
“A number of people are being treated by @Ldn_Ambulance. Please avoid the area which has been cordoned off and evacuated.”
Images from the scene show huge crowds of emergency personnel, workers and those who were using the swimming pool.
Some people were reportedly ordered to evacuate immediately while still in their swimwear.
The swimming pool is located within the famous Olympic Park, home to the 2012 summer Olympics.
It is also located near to the huge Westfield Stratford shopping centre.
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