Key Points
- Incident occurred on Tuesday, 16 December 2025, at the Marks & Spencer (M&S) store on Gallions Road in Charlton, south London.
- Emergency services, including fire engines, ambulances, and specialist response teams, responded to a suspected carbon monoxide leak.
- Around 35 people evacuated from the store; all affected were staff members as the store had not yet opened to the public.
- London Ambulance Service treated 30 people for chemical inhalation: 19 discharged at the scene, 11 taken to hospital.
- All 11 hospitalised staff members were discharged the same day after further checks.
- Firefighters in breathing apparatus conducted systematic sweeps of the building.
- Shoppers urged to avoid the area; blue lights lined the road, and staff ushered away behind cordons.
- London Ambulance Service called at 9:32am; resources included ambulance crews, incident response officers, paramedics in fast response cars, advanced paramedics, and hazardous area response team paramedics.
- No customers affected; incident happened during a regular weekday morning before opening.
- Social media warnings circulated online advising people to steer clear of the retail park.
- Officials treated the situation seriously from the outset, with assessments ongoing for over two hours before hospital details emerged.
What Triggered the Emergency Response at M&S Charlton?
As reported by an unnamed correspondent of Food Bible, the London Ambulance Service confirmed it had treated 30 people for chemical inhalation, with 19 discharged at the scene and 11 taken to hospital for further checks. All staff members who were hospitalised were later discharged the same day.
The rapid deployment of resources underscored the gravity of the situation. Fire services led the initial sweeps, donning breathing apparatus to navigate potential hazards within the store. Paramedics established a treatment zone outside, prioritising those showing symptoms of exposure.
Social media played a key role in real-time updates, with posts urging avoidance of the Gallions Road retail park. This public alert helped prevent shopper influx, ensuring the focus remained on staff welfare.
How Many People Were Affected by the Suspected Leak?
Reported by James Johnson of The Grocer, strategic commander for the London Ambulance Service, said:
“We were called at 9.32am today (16 December) to reports of a suspected carbon monoxide incident on Gallions Road, Charlton. We sent a number of resources to the scene including ambulance crews, incident response officers, paramedics in fast response cars, advanced paramedics and paramedics from our hazardous area response team. We treated 30 people for chemical inhalation. We took 11 patients to hospital and discharged 19 patients at the scene.”
These figures align with Food Bible’s reporting, which detailed 35 evacuees—all staff—and no customer involvement due to the pre-opening timing. The 30 treated represent those exhibiting symptoms, with the remainder monitored but not requiring medical intervention.
Carbon monoxide, a colourless and odourless gas, poses severe risks in enclosed spaces like retail environments. Symptoms can mimic flu-like illness, prompting swift evacuation protocols.
What Resources Did Emergency Services Deploy?
The multi-agency response highlighted coordinated efforts typical of urban incidents. London Fire Brigade units, though not quoted directly in available reports, were visibly present with engines and specialist gear. Ambulance resources, as detailed by Johnson, formed the backbone of on-site care.
As per Food Bible’s coverage, firefighters in breathing apparatus carried out systematic sweeps of the building, while paramedics treated a number of people at the scene. This methodical approach minimised further exposure risks.
Incident response officers and hazardous area response team paramedics brought expertise in chemical incidents, ensuring safe handling of potential contaminants.
Why Were No Customers Impacted?
The timing proved crucial. According to Food Bible, the 11 hospitalised staff were among around 35 people evacuated from the building on Tuesday morning, with all those affected understood to be staff members rather than customers, as the store had not yet opened to the public.
This pre-opening occurrence—a regular weekday morning—limited exposure to employees only. Shoppers, already warned via social media and visible cordons, stayed away. Blue lights lining the road served as a stark visual deterrent.
What Happened Inside the M&S Store During the Incident?
Evacuation preceded full emergency arrival, a testament to staff training. Food Bible reported that the shop itself was evacuated before emergency crews arrived, leaving staff waiting outside as assessments continued.
Firefighters’ sweeps targeted ventilation systems, heating units, and other common carbon monoxide sources in commercial buildings. No specific leak origin has been publicly confirmed, pending full investigation.
Paramedics triaged on-site, discharging 19 after observation. The 11 hospitalised underwent precautionary checks, all released by day’s end.
How Did Social Media and Public Alerts Play a Role?
As covered by Food Bible, messages circulated online and across social media warning people to avoid the area altogether. This grassroots dissemination amplified official cordons, reducing footfall at the busy retail park.
Platforms buzzed with eyewitness accounts of blue lights and gathered crews, fostering community awareness without panic.
What Is the Current Status of the Hospitalised Staff?
All 11 staff members taken to hospital were discharged the same day. Food Bible noted that all staff members who were hospitalised were later discharged the same day.
No long-term injuries reported, though psychological impacts from such events warrant monitoring. M&S has not issued a public statement in available sources, focusing internally on staff support.
When Did Authorities Confirm the Carbon Monoxide Suspicion?
Public confirmation came over two hours in. Food Bible detailed that just over two hours into the incident, it emerged that 11 members of staff had been taken to hospital following a suspected carbon monoxide leak at the M&S Charlton store.
Initial reports framed it as a precaution, escalating with treatment figures.
Who Is James Johnson and What Did He Confirm?
Reported by James Johnson of The Grocer, strategic commander for the London Ambulance Service, provided the timeline and resource breakdown. His statement remains the most detailed official account, emphasising comprehensive response.
Johnson’s role ensures oversight of major incidents, lending weight to the operation’s scale.
What Lessons Can Be Learned from This Incident?
Retail environments must prioritise carbon monoxide detectors, especially in pre-opening hours when ventilation differs. Staff vigilance prompted early evacuation, averting worse outcomes.
This event echoes past UK retail gas incidents, reinforcing regulatory checks on commercial heating systems.
Investigations continue, with authorities likely examining compliance. M&S, as a major chain, faces scrutiny on safety protocols.
The Charlton store’s fate—reopening timeline—remains unclear, pending clearance.
