A 73-YEAR-old has been arrested over a “noxious substance” after a woman approached a number of shoppers with “a plastic bag”.
One woman was taken to hospital with “breathing difficulties” as a number of people fell ill after the Bath attack at 2.30pm yesterday.
Locals in Bath have fallen sick amid fears of a possible chemical attackoshunsprite / X
SWNSA number of people reportedly felt ill after they were approached by someone carrying a plastic bag[/caption]
SWNSPolice and other emergency services rushed to the scene on Monday[/caption]
Avon and Somerset Police were contacted at 3.08pm and a cordon was set up on Stall Street, near to the famous Roman Baths in the centre of the city.
The ambulance service initially said they had taken two people to hospital, but ultimately only one woman was taken after she experienced breathing difficulties and itchy eyes.
She was checked over and discharged later in the evening.
The scene was lifted shortly before 8pm after the area had been checked.
No trace of any chemical or hazardous substance was found.
CCTV enquiries were carried out to identify the individual who was in possession of the plastic bag at the time of the incident.
A 73-year-old was subsequently arrested on suspicion of administering an unknown noxious substance.
One witness said they saw members of the public being treated at the scene.
They said: “They took one woman off into some blue tarpaulin sheets and seemed to have hosed her down.
“She must have been told to remove her clothes, as she came out wearing a big orange suit covering her body.
“Then she was walked to the ambulance escorted by what I think was a paramedic wearing a full hazmat suit with breathing apparatus.”
Online users have also been speculating on the incident, with one person writing: “I wonder what’s going on in #Bath right now. I heard 6 police cars whizz past on their way to the incident.”
A police spokesperson previously said: “Emergency services are responding to an incident in Bath.
“At about 2.30pm a woman approached people with a bag in Stall Street, leading to some individuals then feeling unwell.
“The ambulance service made us aware at 3.08pm.
“We’re not aware of any further reports of people feeling unwell. As a precaution, emergency personnel are wearing protective clothing.
“We are working with SWAST (South Western Ambulance Trust) and Avon Fire and Rescue Service at the scene and have well-rehearsed plans for responding to such incidents.”
Witnesses said some members of the public have been stripped of all clothing, placed in hazmat suits and into the back of ambulances.
According to locals, there were more than 20 emergency vehicles present – including 14 ambulance vehicles.
SWNSThe emergency services were out in force in the centre of Bath[/caption]
SWNSStall St is near to the historic Roman Baths and the Abbey in the centre of Bath[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
