An engineer at Guy’s Hospital in central London accidentally triggered a chemical explosion after reportedly mixing chlorine with sulphuric acid in the building’s basement, police have said.
Emergency services evacuated around 150 people from the basement and ground floor following the incident on Wednesday morning. Firefighters, including hazardous materials officers, were deployed to ventilate the building and ensure the area was safe.
Speaking to The Sun, one police officer said: “There was a chemical leak in the basement of Guy’s Hospital. It’s just reopened now. One of the engineers accidentally mixed chlorine with sulphuric acid, and it totally exploded.”
Another officer confirmed: “There’s been a chemical spill in the basement that was potentially quite dangerous. But it’s all been cleared and it’s absolutely no risk to anybody.”
The London Fire Brigade confirmed crews from Whitechapel, Dowgate, Euston and surrounding stations were called at 08:49 BST. They dispatched two fire engines, two Fire Rescue Units, a Command Unit, and specialist hazardous materials teams to the scene.
The hospital has since reopened, and police stressed that the incident posed no ongoing threat to staff, patients, or the public.