Three suffer breathing problems in Dundee Wellgate

DUNDEE’S Wellgate shopping centre was at the centre of a major alert today after three people were suddenly taken ill with breathing problems at a Jobcentre in the building.

Three women were taken ill after suffering from breathing difficulties in Dundee's Wellgate shopping centre. Picture: Comp

A spokesman for Police Scotland said emergency services had launched an investigation after three women complained of feeling unwell and having difficulty breathing at the Job Centre in the Wellgate Centre at about 1.20pm today.

He continued: “All three are being treated at the scene. While the affected area appears to be confined to the lift, a cordon has been established around the Job Centre and it has been evacuated while the emergency services try to establish the cause of the problem.”

He stressed: “The affected area is not part of the wider shopping centre, which is operating as normal.”

A spokesman for the Scottish Ambulance Service said two people had been taken by ambulance to the city’s Ninewells Hospital following the incident.

A spokesman for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “The Job Centre was evacuated as a precaution and SFRS initially treated the incident as one involving hazardous chemicals. Two appliances from Blackness Road, a heavy rescue unit and one appliance from McAlpine Road were deployed to the scene, along with a hazardous materials unit from Balmossie Station. The DIM (Detection Identification Monitoring Unit) from Aberdeen was also requested.”

He continued: “Crews used gas monitoring devices and breathing apparatus to investigate further, but no airborne contaminates were found. Tests were carried out by firefighters at a nearby lift in an effort to identify any other contaminates. The lift was cordoned off and ventilated by firefighters using a PPV (positive pressure ventilation) fan. There is currently no risk to the public.

“Police and fire are continuing to carry out investigations into the incident.”