Chemical spill at Birmingham hospital sparks mass evacuation after three people fall ill

A hospital in Birmingham was evacuated today (Tuesday, March 14) after a chemical spill left several people “feeling nauseous”.

West Midlands Fire and Rescue Service confirmed it was called to Sutton Cottage Hospital, at around 2pm. Rescue teams, including a specialist Hazardous Materials Team, scrambled to the hospital in Sutton Coldfield after three people fell ill.

The hospital was evacuated while firefighters tried to identify the chemical and the extent of the spillage. Police also closed both lanes of Birmingham Road outside the hospital, causing long delays for motorists.

A West Midlands Fire Service spokesperson said: “We were called at 2.02pm with reports of a spillage of an unknown chemical on the ground floor of Sutton Coldfield Cottage Hospital.

“We sent crews from Sutton Coldfield and Erdington and a hazardous materials team. The hospital is being evacuated at the moment. We are trying to establish what it is and the quantity of it.”

Police and three fire engines were spotted outside the hospital following the incident. A passerby said: “There were fire crews everywhere and police were blocking off the road pretty quick.

“The hospital is near loads of shops and bars so the street was busy but the emergency services were absolutely brilliant. Whatever has happened it looked pretty serious because the whole place was put in lockdown.”