Leisure centre evacuated and 15 people treated for breathing difficulties after 'potential chemical leak'

Published: 19:05, 30 July 2026 | Updated: 19:10, 30 July 2026 Fifteen people were hospitalised after suffering breathing difficulties following a suspected chemical leak at a leisure centre and water park. Emergency services rushed to Moorways Sports Village in Allenton, Derbyshire, at 1.38pm on Thursday after a potential chemical leak was reported. At least 15 visitors were treated at Royal Derby Hospital in Derby after they experienced difficulties with their breathing.  The leisure centre was evacuated as police officers and a specialist environmental unit attended the scene. It is understood to have been a chlorine leak.  Residents were urged to avoid the area, while Osmaston Park Road was closed to the junction with Moor Lane.  Moorways Sports Village announced it would be 'temporarily closed' for the rest of the day.  It wrote on Facebook on Thursday: 'All swimming lessons, water park visits and any other bookings today are cancelled. 'We will provide a further update at a later time. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.'  Fifteen people were hospitalised after suffering breathing difficulties following a suspected chemical leak at Moorways Sports Village in Allenton, Derbyshire A mother who was at Moorways Sports Village with her son described getting a 'headache'.  She told DerbyshireLive: 'My throat felt really dry and made me start coughing so we went into the inflatable pool but we left at 1.40pm. 'But in the changing rooms loads of people were coughing, so we hurried up out of there.'  An East Midlands Ambulance Service spokesperson said: 'We received a call at 1.33pm on Thursday July 30 to Moor Lane in Allenton. 'We sent our Hazardous Area Response Team, two duty commanders in response cars, and six ambulances. 15 patients have been taken to Royal Derby Hospital.' A spokesperson for Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service said earlier this afternoon: 'Emergency services are currently dealing with an incident at a leisure centre on Moor Lane in Allenton. 'Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service was called to the site at 13:38 hours following reports of a potential chemical leak. 'Firefighters from Ascot Drive, Kingsway, and Nottinghamshire's Stapleford stations are in attendance supported by a specialist Environmental Protection Unit from Stockhill. 'They are working closely with colleagues from Derbyshire Constabulary and East Midlands Ambulance Service who are also in attendance. 'The leisure centre is being evacuated as a precaution while emergency services deal with the incident. 'At present, around 12 people have been reported as experiencing breathing difficulties and are being assessed by paramedics. 'Osmaston Park Road is currently closed to the junction with Moor Lane. Please avoid the area and find alternative routes.'