The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Man was taken to hospital after gas leak emptied Caird Hall
Agas leak led to the evacuation of the Caird Hall and a man being taken to hospital, Police Scotland have confirmed.
Investigations are ongoing into the incident, after a safety alarm was activated shortly after 4pm on Monday.
The leak took place in the council’s Shore Terrace IT centre, to the rear of the hall, the local authority confirmed today.
Despite the man being taken to Ninewells, the emergency services said yesterday there was no risk to the wider public.
Pictures showed a large emergency service presence, with multiple fire appliances and ambulances, as well as police and council staff.
The injured man was taken to hospital as a precaution.
A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Emergency services were called to the Caird Hall in Dundee at around 4.19pm on Monday afternoon, following the activation of safety alarm.
“One man received a slight injury and a very low level of gas was detected.
“The man was taken to Ninewells Hospital as a precaution and there was no wider risk to the public at any point.”
A Dundee City Council spokesman said the matter was being investigated, but the coronavirus vaccination centre at the Caird Hall was unaffected.
He said: “Dundee City Council is liaising with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service as the emergency service investigates the cause of an incident at the council’s Shore Terrace IT centre on Monday.
“It would not be appropriate for the council to comment while that investigation is ongoing.
“However, we can confirm the Caird Hall vaccination centre is unaffected, and vaccinations are going ahead as normal.”
An SFRS spokeswoman added: “We were alerted at 3.32pm on Monday to reports of an alarm activation at Caird Hall.
“Operations Control mobilised three appliances and specialist resources to the scene, where firefighters assisted one casualty to safety who was then placed into the care of the Scottish Ambulance Service.”
The evacuation came on the day some pubs welcomed people back after Covid-19 lockdown measures were relaxed across Scotland.
Witnesses said the staff in the neighbouring St Andrew’s Brewing Co, which is also to the rear of the Caird Hall in Shore Terrace, were seen gathering outside the premises.
A spokesman for St Andrews Brewing Co said: “Thanks to everyone who has checked in with us to make sure we are okay.
“There was an incident in the main Caird Hall which led to us being asked to evacuate our premises. A huge thank you to all our guests that were here, your patience and co-operation was greatly appreciated by all the staff and we hope to see you again soon.”