Date: 13th September, 2023
Update 17:36pm 13 September
Avon Fire And Rescue Service specialist technical support team have carried out extensive checks of the two schools affected and we can now confirm they are deemed safe and both schools have now been re-opened.
The cause is believed to have been from some contaminated packaging within an IT room at Brimble Hill and only four people who were in close proximity with this packaging are known to have been affected. They were taken to hospital for monitoring and have since all been discharged. The incident has now been scaled back, with no ongoing concerns, and firefighters will be leaving the scene in due course.
Update 14:17pm 13 September
Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service were called to Brimble Hill Primary School, Tadpole Lane, Blunsdon St Andrew, Swindon at 8:46am after reports of a chemical smell and some people feeling unwell. Crews from Westlea and Stratton attended and have been investigating the cause of the smell. The incident is ongoing and further specialist technical support is being provided by Avon Fire and Rescue Service to determine the cause of the smell.
Three people have attended hospital with reported symptoms after being on site, but their condition is not serious. As a precaution, the school has been evacuated as was neighbouring Uplands School and Swindon Borough Council have been working with the schools to ensure pupils are returned home safely. A major incident has not been declared.