Around 60 residents were evacuated from an apartment building in Cardiff on Thursday, August 29, after a gas-suspected incident. South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said it was called to Bay Chambers in West Bute Street in Butetown at around 10.18pm on Thursday evening. The emergency service said a number of residents had reported feeling unwell, symptomatic of carbon monoxide poisoning, and had been removed to the University Hospital of Wales for further tests.
Four fire engines were brought to the scene, alongside several specialist officers and specialist appliances. The emergency service said crews at the scene used detection, identification and monitoring equipment to try to establish the origin and cause of any suspected hazardous gas escape. But they were unable to detect any hazardous materials after extensive atmospheric monitoring.
According to the fire service, approximately 60 residents were evacuated from the building as a precaution, and a rest centre was established at the Coal Exchange. They added that multi-agency briefings were held at the scene and a tactical coordination group was established to allow its partners from South Wales Fire Service, South Wales Police, Cardiff Council, Public Health Wales, Welsh Ambulance Service Trust, Welsh Water, and other agencies to discuss “tactical priorities” in an attempt to manage the incident “successfully” with a view to returning to a normal state “as soon as possible”.
The fire service confirmed that all residents were allowed to return to their properties. Further investigations into the incident are currently ongoing.