'Chemical leak' sends guests fleeing from popular CBD hotel

At least eight people have been hospitalised after breathing toxic gases at a popular hotel in Sydney’s CBD.

Emergency Services were called to the Pullman Hotel near Hyde Park just after 9am on Wednesday following reports chemicals had made their way into the ventilation system.

Acting superintendent of New South Wales Ambulance said a worker accidentally mixed pool chlorine and hydrochloric acid, creating a chemical reaction that saw gases flow throw the hotel’s ventilation system.

A spokesperson for NSW Ambulance told Yahoo7 News the issue emanated on the 22nd floor and that at least 30 people had been treated for eye irritation and respiratory systems issues.

Eight people have been taken to Sydney and St Vincent Hospitals, while police are currently at the scene, diverting traffic and pedestrians.

One guest, Mathais Otterstedt, told reporters outside the hotel that people were coughing in the corridors, but most left quickly and he saw no-one seriously hurt.

“It was an acute smell of chlorine in the air … it was sort of coming out from the vents and it was very strong, people were coving their faces and I instantly realised that there was something wrong,” he said.

A spokesperson for the hotel confirmed the issue started during planned maintenance to the pool on the roof of the property.

“The dosage of the pool chemicals was incorrect, leading to a gas being emitted and entering the adjacent air intake,” the spokesperson said.

“This has resulted in the top 3 floors of the hotel being evacuated. For precautionary measures NSW Ambulance have confirmed 6 people exposed to the gas have been taken to hospital.

“The safety of our guests and employees is paramount and we are working with the authorities to assist those affected by the incident.”