Silverburn shopping centre evacuated after fumes alert Published duration 22 August 2018

image copyright Holly McCormack image caption Hundreds of people have been evacuated from Silverburn

Silverburn shopping centre near Glasgow had to be evacuated after a number of people were reported feeling unwell.

Police Scotland said the alarm was raised at the complex at about 12:40 on Wednesday.

It is understood the problem, at the Tesco end of the centre, may have been caused by paint fumes which were circulated through an air vent.

Up to 50 people, including children and pensioners, were treated at the scene for breathing difficulties.

Six shoppers were taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow as a precaution.

image copyright Linsey Hanna image caption The alarm was raised at about 12:40 on Wednesday

image copyright Linsey Hanna image caption The problem was reported at the Tesco end of the centre

Insp Derek Kelly told BBC Scotland: "It is too early to speculate on the exact cause of it but there has been maintenance.

"There has been painting going on in the shopping centre and it could be the case that some of the fumes have made their way into the ventilation system, which may have caused people to suffer very minor respiratory trouble."

The officer said the problem was reported in the food court area but confirmed the painting was being carried out in another part of the centre.

One woman who was in the complex at the time tweeted: "In silverburn over an hour ago myself and lots of others went into fits of spontaneous coughing, reported this to a silverburn staff member. Do you have any explanation @shopsilverburn?"

image copyright Catriona Renton image caption Paramedics are treating shoppers at the scene

The centre did not reply to the post but later used its own Twitter account to provide an update on the situation.

It said: "We've temporarily evacuated Silverburn as a precautionary measure and the emergency services are in attendance. The safety of our customers and staff is always our number one priority. We will keep you updated on the situation."

The centre reopened about 17:00 after being given the all-clear and tweeted: "We'd like to thank the emergency services for their swift response and our customers for their patience and understanding during the closure."

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service's Environmental Protection Team were part of the emergency response.

The SFRS tweeted: "We are currently in attendance at Silverburn Shopping Centre, near Glasgow following reports of a chemical smell.

"Operations Control mobilised a number of fire engines and a specialist environmental protection unit to the scene."

Junction 2 of the northbound M77 (Barrhead Road) was closed as a result of the incident but Traffic Scotland confirmed it reopened about 16:00.