Paramedics rushed to Corporal Budd VC Gymnasium in Colchester, Essex around 12:30 am to receive reports of a “chemical spill”. Four patients were treated at the scene and taken to hospital for further care.
The identities of those who became unwell have not yet been released by police.
The ambulance team sent a Hazardous Area Response Team to the scene, which has been an important military base since Roman times.
A Colchester Garrison spokesperson said: “A chemical spill was reported at the swimming pool of the Cpl Budd VC Gym just before 12:30pm today. Emergency services are on the scene and we are supporting them in resolving the situation.”
There is a 25 meter swimming pool at Corporal Budd VC Gymnasium, reports Essex Live†
A spokesman for the East of England Ambulance Service said: “We were called to Berechurch Road at around 11:50 am today following reports of a chemical incident. We dispatched three ambulances, an ambulance officer, a rapid response vehicle and our hazardous area response team. Crews treated four patients at the scene before being transported to Colchester Hospital for further assessment and care.”
Essex Police have also been contacted for more information about the incident.
Colchester Garrison is home to the British Army’s 16th Air Assault Brigade. The brigade has three air raid infantry battalions, two aviation regiments, an artillery regiment and support units (engineer, signals, logistics, medical).
Colchester has a tradition of civilian volunteers serving in the Territorial Army, now known as the Army Reserve. During World War II Colchester’s “Terriers” included 2nd/5th Battalion Essex Regiment and 104th Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery (Essex Yeomanry).
There are several large barracks on the site, which lies to the south of the city.