Wimbledon: One man died and another six people were taken to hospital following a cyanide spillage at an industrial unit on the Durnsford Road Trading Estate in Wimbledon.

Ambulance and fire crews were called to the scene on Monday at around 9.30am, close to 59, Weir Road, following a call from a member of the public.

As the Guardian went to press, police refused to confirm which of the 20 individual business units was involved but it is understood to be a metal-welding firm.

Three police officers and three other people had to be treated for the effects of breathing toxic fumes, with two of the officers kept in St Georges Hospital overnight for observation after showing signs of mild cyanide poisoning.

Police sealed off the area, close to the junction with Endeavour Way, for almost 10 hours and evacuated many of the industrial units.

Fire crews used protective suits and breathing apparatus to clear the dangerous chemical.

Speaking to the Guardian during the evacuation, Alan McShane, area manager of nearby scaffolding company Trad Access, said: "They've blocked off the street and there are firemen in chemical suits with breathing apparatus.

"They are treating it as a chemical spillage. We've been told there is a danger of an explosion and weve all been evacuated.

"Our business is opposite where they found a body. The police said it was the body of a man, but they didn't tell us any more."

Workers were allowed back on site at around 7pm following the clean-up operation.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said that police were liaising with Environmental Services and the Health and Safety Executive.

He added: "It is too early for us to give any further details as we still haven't identified the man."

The police would not release further details about the incident leading to the mans death, but said his body has been taken to St Georges Hospital mortuary for a post-mortem.

Symptoms of cyanide poisoning vary with the dose and rate of exposure but can include rapid breathing, anxiety, excitement, faintness, flushing, headaches and nausea.

In cases of heavy poisoning many of these symptoms are not seen because of the rapid onset of coma and death which can sometimes be as little as 30 seconds.

October 24, 2001 16:30