People stripped and hosed themselves down amid fears of a chemical attack

There are fears a chemical attack may have taken place near the Roman Baths in Bath this afternoon. A number of people suddenly fell ill after contact with a woman carrying a bag containing an unknown substance.

A witness has described how members of the public are being treated at the scene after apparently falling ill following contact with a woman carrying a bag containing an unknown substance. A police cordon is in place and emergency services personnel are at the scene.

The witness said: “They took a woman in some blue tarpaulin sheets and it looked like they hosed her down. He must have been told to take off his clothes as he came out wearing a large orange suit that covered his body.

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“She was then taken to the ambulance accompanied by what I believe was a paramedic wearing a full hazmat suit with breathing apparatus.”

According to locals, there are more than 20 emergency services vehicles at the scene this afternoon, including 14 ambulances. Paramedics are wearing hazmat suits as a precaution, as it is unclear why people suddenly fell ill on the street.

Emergency services were called to an incident on Stall Street at around 2.30pm today, Monday 29 July. A woman is said to have approached people with a bag, causing some people to fall ill.

Witnesses say some members of the public were stripped of all their clothing, were dressed in hazmat suits and were in the back of ambulances. The Ambulance Service was first at the scene – alerting Avon and Somerset Police at 3.08pm.

According to locals, more than 20 emergency vehicles are present – ​​including 14 ambulances.

In a statement, the force said: “Emergency services are responding to an incident in Bath. Around 2.30pm, a woman approached people with a bag on Stall Street, which made some people feel sick. The ambulance service informed us at 15.08.

“We are not aware of any other reports of people feeling unwell. As a precaution, emergency personnel wear protective clothing.

“We are working with South Western Ambulance Service and Avon Fire and Rescue Service at the scene and have plans in place to respond to such incidents.”