Key Points
- Newham Hospital A&E evacuated after reports of an “unknown chemical smell.”
- Incident occurred at 7:58pm on February 27 at Newham Hospital in Glen Road, Plaistow.
- Emergency services, including London Fire Brigade and London Ambulance Service, responded.
- Specialist officers conducted monitoring sweeps but found no elevated chemical readings.
- Hospital confirmed evacuation of paediatric A&E to ensure patient and staff safety.
- Incident declared over by 10pm, and the area was deemed safe.
- Four people treated at the hospital, but no injuries reported.
Newham Hospital A&E Evacuated Following ‘Unknown Chemical Smell’
Why was Newham Hospital evacuated?
A&E services at Newham Hospital in Plaistow were temporarily evacuated on Tuesday night after an “unknown chemical smell” was reported, prompting a swift response from emergency services.
According to the Metropolitan Police, officers were called to the hospital at 7:58pm on February 27, along with hazard response teams from the London Fire Brigade (LFB) and London Ambulance Service (LAS).
What action did emergency services take?
Upon arrival, specialist officers conducted a thorough monitoring sweep of the area to detect any hazardous substances. A cordon was set up around the affected section of the hospital while teams carried out safety assessments.
Despite initial concerns, no elevated readings of chemical substances were detected. The London Fire Brigade confirmed that the scene was made safe by 10pm, and normal operations resumed.
Were there any injuries reported?
The London Fire Brigade stated that four individuals were treated at the hospital, but no serious injuries or harm were reported. The London Ambulance Service dispatched multiple resources, including a paramedic tactical response unit and a hazardous area response team (HART), but later stood down after confirming the area was safe.
What did Newham Hospital say?
A spokesperson from Newham Hospital Trust assured that patient and staff safety was the priority during the evacuation, stating:
“We evacuated patients, families and staff from the paediatric A&E department to protect their safety following reports of an unusual smell. We worked with emergency services to investigate the area, and by 10pm, the area was declared safe. No one was harmed during the incident.”
How did the London Fire Brigade respond?
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson confirmed the details of their response, saying:
“We were called at 1958 yesterday (27 February) to a report of an unknown chemical smell at a hospital on Glen Road in Plaistow. The area was evacuated and a cordon was implemented as a precaution. Specialist officers carried out a monitoring sweep and found no elevated readings of chemical substances. Crews ensured the area was safe before leaving the scene. Four people were treated by staff at the hospital. Two fire engines and two fire rescue units attended the scene.”
What was the role of the London Ambulance Service?
A London Ambulance Service spokesperson confirmed their involvement:
“We sent resources to the scene, including an incident response officer, a paramedic from our tactical response unit and members of our hazardous area response team (HART). We responded alongside colleagues from London Fire Brigade but we were later stood down.”
What happens next?
Authorities have not yet confirmed the source of the reported smell. The incident remains under review, but with no hazardous substances detected, Newham Hospital has resumed normal operations. Patients and staff have been reassured that safety remains a top priority.
