Birmingham's Bullring shopping centre remains closed after chemical incident

A shopping centre remained closed to the public for a second day today after a suspected chemical contamination, police said.

Birmingham's Bullring was evacuated yesterday and nine members of staff were treated in hospital for symptoms including breathlessness, nausea and dizziness. Many more were treated at a temporary triage centre set up nearby.

Workers who entered the complex this morning ahead of a potential reopening reported breathing problems and two were taken to hospital as a precautionary measure.

Another eight were treated by ambulance staff at the scene.

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: "The cause of a suspected petrochemical-based contamination, probably in the centre's ventilation or air-conditioning systems, remains unexplained.

"The fire service has carried out exhaustive checks on the building's systems and officers are satisfied there is an internal problem.

"They have now withdrawn from the scene but, along with police, remain on site to offer technical advice and assist in any way.

"The Bullring centre's management is now undertaking measures to locate and rectify the problem.

"Police will continue to work with the Bullring management team to determine whether the source of the contamination, once found, is accidental or malicious."

The spokesman said the centre would be closed for "at least the rest of today".

A spokeswoman for West Midlands Ambulance Service said crews were called to the Bullring at 7.30am.

Four ambulances, a rapid response motorcycle, two rapid response vehicles from the Hazardous Area Response Team (Hart) and a Hart Command and Control vehicle were sent to the scene.

An incident support officer, a Basics emergency doctor, a senior paramedic officer and an emergency preparedness officer also attended.

The spokeswoman said: "Crews arrived to find two members of staff suffering from shortness of breath.

"A man and a woman were given oxygen therapy before being transferred by land ambulance to City Hospital for further assessment and treatment.

"A further eight members of staff were suffering from nausea and minor respiratory complaints.

"All eight were assessed and treated by the doctor and ambulance crews before being discharged on scene."

A total of around 50 people have been treated for symptoms including nausea, dizziness, watery eyes and breathlessness over the course of today and yesterday, the spokeswoman added.