South Yorkshire Police have launched an investigation into reports a 'chemical substance was let off' in a Doncaster nightclub, forcing customers to evacuate.
The owners and managers of Pop Works club in Doncaster, Yorkshire released a statement to apologise to everyone who was inside the club at around 4:55am on Sunday (30 July), as customers reported feeling unwell and began 'coughing and sneezing'.
South Yorkshire Police were called to the scene at 5am to reports of a 'number of people said to be feeling unwell', so much so that 'eight people at the venue required hospital treatment'.
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Police are investigating reports that a 'chemical substance was let off' inside the venue, with one customer describing the substance to The Mirror as 'poison gas'.
"Everyone was coughing and sneezing. The security were shouting for everybody to get out," the female customer said.
"I have never seen something like this, everyone was just coughing and sneezing and struggling to breathe. There must have been about 50 or 60 people in. It was really creepy to be honest.”
Pop Works confirmed staff 'had to evacuate everyone out of the club', adding: "This was a big eye opener for us as a business and it was handled very well thank you to our door staff and management...
"We would like to apologise to everyone who was inside at the time and who was involved in the incident. What a world we live in that people would make businesses harder than it is in this trade after Covid. We are deeply sorry."
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The club went on to assure customer safety and well-being is its 'main priority', adding that 'the care needed for those involved was provided'.
"Once again we are truly sorry," the club continued. "Thank you to the fire service and the police that came and helped everyone."
South Yorkshire Police reported that none of the customers at the club are thought to have had 'any lasting effects'.
"We are now working to determine what substance was let off at the location," a spokesperson said in a statement. "We are appealing for anyone with information to come forward."
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Chief Inspector David Struggles, from the Doncaster district command team, added that the experience must have been 'terrifying' for those inside Pop Works.
"We are working hard to determine exactly what happened at the location," he continued.
“This type of offence will cause concern among the community and those who like to use the night-time economy in the city. We want to get to the bottom of what happened as quickly as possible to ease those fears and make those who live in or wish to use the city centre for leisure feel safe and secure.
"If you were inside Pop Works at the time or in the nearby area and saw or heard anything suspicious we want to hear from you. You could have seen something important, no matter how small it seems. It could prove vital for the investigation.”
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Customers and family members of those at the club have thanked Pop Works for the speed with which the situation was dealt with.
LADbible has contacted South Yorkshire Police for updates.
Emily Brown