Two Arrests Following 'Chemical Incident' in Fulham
Women detained after 10 taken to hospital due to affects of unknown fumes
Fire engines at the scene in South Fulham. Picture: London Fire Brigade
July 22, 2024
Two women have been arrested on suspicion of producing drugs after what the Fire Brigade described as a ‘chemical incident’ in a block of Flats in Fulham.
A building, understood to be Ethel Rankin House on Landridge Road, was evacuated and eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters, including members of a Hazardous Area Response Team, attended at 12:35am on Wednesday 17 July. Fire crews from Fulham, Wandsworth, Euston, Bethnal Green, Hammersmith, Kensington, Battersea and Chiswick fire stations were at the scene.
Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus helped residents in the block to leave their flats.
Several people including firefighters were treated by paramedics at the scene and ten had to be taken to hospital for further treatment for respiratory issues due to exposure to an unknown chemical substance but none of those affected are understood to have life threatening injuries.
Firefighters carried out a final monitoring sweep of the building and found no elevated readings, allowing residents to return to homes after 5:56am.
Subsequently, the police arrested the two women, aged 43 and 18 on suspicion of conspiracy to supply controlled drugs and conspiracy to produce controlled drugs, as part of its investigation. Both women have been bailed pending further enquiries.
Station Commander Graham Crow, who was at the scene, said, "This was a protracted incident with crews remaining on scene for several hours. Motorists were advised to avoid the area due to a cordon put in place around the property."
The cause of the incident is under investigation.
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