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Leisure centre evacuated due to chlorine leak

BBC The exterior of a leisure centre building with windows openBBC
The pool will remain closed while repairs are carried out

A leisure centre in southern Scotland had to be evacuated due to a chlorine leak.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said it was called out to the site in Selkirk at about 18:00 on Thursday.

Fire crews were at the scene for about three hours dealing with the incident. There were no reported casualties.

A spokesman for Live Borders - which runs the leisure centre - said all its safety protocols had been followed and the swimming pool would remain shut for repairs.

A sign among trees reading Selkirk Leisure Centre
The centre operators said all safety protocols had been followed

A statement from the organisation said: "Alarms were triggered yesterday evening due to a chemical leak from a pipe at Selkirk Leisure Centre.

"All safety protocols were followed and emergency services responded.

"The pool will remain closed this morning as we await the arrival of contractors on site to undertake a repair."

It said they would update customers on the reopening time for the leisure centre.

A brick leisure building with windows and grass and benches outside
The leisure centre was evacuated after the leak on Thursday evening

The SFRS said it had been called out at about 17:55 on Thursday to the site on Buccleuch Road.

"Four fire appliances and a specialist decontamination unit were mobilised to the scene, where the building had been fully evacuated," said a statement.

"Firefighters worked to stem a chlorine leak, prevent any further spread and ensure the area was safe.

"There were no reported casualties and crews left the scene just after 21:00."

The Scottish Ambulance Service said it had sent four ambulances and its special operations team to the incident.

"All members of the public were checked over at the scene and no-one was transported to hospital," it added.