Police confirm ‘no noxious substance’ found in Belfast house following incident

By Nicole McBride, PA

Police have confirmed no noxious substance was detected at a house in south Belfast following an incident in which a number of people were taken to hospital.

An alarm was raised at around 5:30pm on Tuesday when emergency services attended a property in Damascus Street following reports of a number of people feeling unwell.

Four people and a number of police officers were taken to hospital when the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) suspected that they had come into contact “with a possibly noxious substance in the property”.

Police have now confirmed that “no noxious substance was detected” following investigations.

The people who were taken to hospital have been discharged.

In a statement issued around 9:30pm on Tuesday, police said specialist colleagues were conducting checks and there was no wider risk to the public at that time.

Superintendent Allister Hagan said the incident had been contained.

“Our priority is always the safety of the public and our officers,” he said.

“While a number of people were taken to hospital as a precaution, I want to reassure the community that this incident is contained and there is no risk to the wider public.

“We continue to work with partner agencies to confirm the circumstances and will provide updates as appropriate.”

Earlier, the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) said it had taken four patients to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.

A NIAS statement said: “The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service received a number of 999 calls shortly after 17.00 on Tuesday September 30 following reports of an incident in the Damascus Street area.

“NIAS despatched four emergency crews to the incident.

“Following assessment and initial treatment at the scene, four patients were taken to Royal Victoria Hospital.”

At 9.30pm, the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service said their crews had left the scene.

“Crews from Central, Cadogan, Lisburn and Dromore initially attended supported by five officers,” they said.

“Crews utilised detection and monitoring equipment to assist in resolving the incident.

“Crews have now left the scene.”

During their investigations police removed a quantity of suspected drugs from the property.

Sinn Fein MLA Deirdre Hargey said: “I want to praise the work of emergency services in ensuring this incident was made safe, and who have confirmed there is no wider risk to the public.

“Thankfully, those taken to hospital are not believed to have any serious conditions.

“I wish everyone involved a speedy recovery.”

Further inquiries are ongoing.