Chemical spill at swimming pool

Man breathes poisonous fumes at holiday complex

A Devon charitable holiday complex for firegfighters called the fire brigade on Saturday when swimming pool chemicals were accidentally mixed, causing noxious fumes in the building.

The incident at Harcombe House, the firefighters' charity holiday home at Chudleigh, led to a man in his fifties initially being treated by the fire service after suffering from breathing in toxic chemicals, and subsequently being handed over to the care of South West Ambulance specialists.

Two fire crews from Middlemoor and Topsham, together with an environmental protection unit from Crediton attended the emergency, after being called by staff from the complex just before midday on Saturday.

Firefighters took a chemical drum into the open air and made the scene safe by ventilating the pump room and swimming pool area. The incident was brought under control just over two hours later.

Harcombe House is one of three holiday centres that offers holiday rental breaks to the service's employees and their families, and also runs as a business, allowing members of the public to rent holiday homes in the Devon countryside too. It is set in 320 acres of woodland and farmland.

Radio Exe has asked Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue if any former or current firefighters were on holiday at Harcombe House at the time and able to take part in the incident.