‘Chemical incident’ in street thought to be a gas leak

 A feared chemical incident in south London that left residents with nausea and vomiting yesterday is believed to have been a gas leak.

Emergency services were called to Alwold Crescent, in Lee, amid fears that locals may have suffered an allergic reaction. Residents were moved out and eight were taken to hospital or assessed by paramedics.

Three fire engines were on the scene, but no unusually high levels of any dangerous chemicals were found.

Resident Kevin Dobbins, 31, said: “They have done checks and they’ve ruled out a few different things. They believe it could be a small gas leak.”

A London Fire Brigade spokesman said they had handed over to the gas board after no raised levels of gas or chemicals were found.