Published: 29 July, 2010
by CHARLOTTE CHAMBERS

FIREFIGHTERS in space age-style protective suits descended on a busy Gospel Oak street at the weekend following fears of a chemical leak. 

Members of the crack unit which dealt with the suspected leak – the detection, identification and monitoring team – could find nothing in Malden Road. 

Police set up a 100-metre-wide cordon as businesses, including the Westport Inn, closed for about two hours during the search on Saturday afternoon. Drinkers were asked to stay inside the pub or sit in the back garden while the front doors were locked.

The fire brigade was initially called by workers at William Hill bookmakers who reported a chemical smell after a female member of staff felt unwell and had a headache. Staff had earlier called an electrician, who had been unable to identify the smell.

Despite carrying out several “sweeps” of the area, nothing suspicious was found by the fire brigade or police.

Rupert Adams, a spokesman for William Hill, said: “It’s still a bit strange. No one is entirely sure what happened. The smell has dissipated a bit but has yet to be identified.”

He said his firm suspect it may have been caused by trapped gas in a sewage pipe beneath the building.

Meanwhile, onlookers said Saturday’s drama looked like a scene out of a Star Wars film. Lenny Smith, a retired driver who was inside the bookmakers, said: “I thought they were making a film. They were all wearing bio-uniforms and plastic helmets.”

He said customers were supposed to be evacuated but most remained in the betting shop. 

Westport Inn publican Joseph Browne said: “They closed the road while police and firemen searched for a chemical smell.”

Taxi driver Nysahor Miah, who works at Prime Cars in Malden Road, said he could not reach his office because he was held behind the cordon. 

“It was exciting – there were men in these alloy suits in green and black with stripes,” he added.

A spokesman for the fire brigade said: “We sent in our team that identifies what chemical smells are. 

“They did a sweep of the area, but didn’t find anything.”