AISLE BE DAMNED
Cause of Longbridge Sainsbury’s panic revealed as ‘gas from fridges’ leaves shoppers fainting in ‘horror film’ scenes
THE cause of a panic at a Sainsbury's in Longbridge has been revealed as gas coming from fridges which left shoppers fainting in the aisles.
One worker from the West Midlands store revealed leak was caused by faulty fridges inside the supermarket.
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He said: "We've let all the staff back in and we're just cleaning everything up. It's a mess in there currently.
"Apparently the gas was not harmful but quite a few people passed out, including some workers.
"They said it was something to do with the fridges leaking. A few people started feeling faint and sick.
"I saw some staff get treated by the paramedics and I know a few people went to hospital because of it.
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"We had emergency services all over the place but it's died down now.
"We expect to be back open again in around two hours after we've cleaned the mess up."
It comes after shoppers battled for breath and collapsed in aisles "like something from a movie scene" as an emergency evacuation was sparked today.
Seven customers of the branch were left struggling to breathe during the bizarre incident this morning.
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Two women were rushed to hospital. They are in a stable condition, the ambulance service said.
Around 150 people were evacuated from the store. People were also told to leave surrounding businesses.
One shopper claimed the first woman fell ill at 9.30am amid a strong "peroxide" smell.
The shop remains closed and people are being urged to avoid the area.
Paramedics say seven people have been treated for "minor respiratory symptoms".
Ambulances, cops and fire engines were called to the scene at around 10am, and a 50-metre cordon is in place.
A spokesperson from the fire service said: "Two people who were in the store have been taken to hospital.
"Our specialist officers are using air monitoring equipment inside the store to try and establish the cause of the incident.
"We are working closely with the store management, as well as our ambulance and police colleagues and Birmingham City Council.
"Around 150 people were evacuated from the store."
Police said they were called to reports of customers suffering "breathing problems".
"Officers attended and the store has been evacuated," one officer said.
"The seven patients are being treated by paramedics.
"We have specialist officers working with colleagues across the emergency services to establish exactly what has happened.
"A cordon has been put in place and we'd advise people to stay away from the area.
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"Anyone who has been in the area and is feeling unwell should seek medical advice as a precaution."
Locals have now taken to social media to tell of their upset.
One said: "My son works there and he said staff and customers were passing out in the aisles.
"They have been told it’s a gas leak. He said it was like a movie scene."
A customer said she saw a woman "struggling to breathe" during a visit at 9.30am.
In a post on Facebook, she said: "I wasn't in there long so didn't notice, but at the checkout, the lady had to have a first aider.
"Wondering if that was the start of it all."
'STRUGGLED TO BREATHE'
Another said: "I was there around 9.30am.
"It smelled funny, like peroxide, and people were coughing.
"Some of the assistants were saying they couldn’t breathe and it affected their throats."
A third woman claimed members of staff had fainted.
The social media user, who said her children work in the branch, posted: "My daughter rang to say it was horrible - people coughing, fighting for breath and passing out."
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A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said: “Safety is our highest priority. Following a thorough investigation by the fire service our Longbridge store has now safely reopened.
"We would like to thank our customers and colleagues for their patience and understanding.
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