Major incident in Bath city centre after 'chemical attack'

Emergency services were called to an incident in Stall Street at around 2.30pm today (Monday).

A woman is said to have approached people with a bag, leading to some individuals becoming ill.

Witnesses say some members of the public have been stripped of all clothing, placed in hazmat suits and into the back of ambulances.
 
The ambulance service was first on scene – alerting Avon and Somerset Police at 3.08pm.

According to locals, there are more than 20 emergency vehicles present – including 14 ambulance vehicles.

In a statement, the force said: “Emergency services are responding to an incident in Bath.

“At about 2.30pm a woman approached people with a bag in Stall Street, leading to some individuals then feeling unwell. The ambulance service made us aware at 3.08pm.
 
“We’re not aware of any further reports of people feeling unwell.

Emergency services in Stall Street, Bath (Image: SWNS)

As a precaution, emergency personnel are wearing protective clothing.

“We are working with South Western Ambulance Service and Avon Fire And Rescue Service at the scene and have well-rehearsed plans for responding to such incidents.”

One witness said they saw members of the public being treated at the scene.

They said: "They took one woman off into some blue tarpaulin sheets and seemed to have hosed her down. 

"She must have been told to remove her clothes, as she came out wearing a big orange suit covering her body. 

"Then she was walked to the ambulance escorted by what I think was a paramedic wearing a full hazmat suit with breathing apparatus."