Ten people were taken to hospital after inhaling potentially toxic fumes from a fish tank in Steventon, Oxfordshire. The incident occurred on Monday evening when a family was clearing coral from an aquarium at a house on Hanney Road.
Approximately 50 emergency services personnel attended the scene, including a hazardous area response team and three ambulances. Six family members and four firefighters were taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, with three family members kept overnight due to flu-like symptoms and eye irritation.
Scientist Dr Mike Leahy, who was visiting his mother on the same road, identified the likely cause as palytoxins released by the coral. He explained that while most corals are harmless, certain types can produce a toxin when stressed. 'If ingested it can be lethal, but inhaling fumes is far less dangerous,' he said.
Two dogs were also removed from the house, and firefighters in full protective suits dealt with the remaining coral. Police cordoned off the area and advised residents to stay indoors, though they were not considered in danger. Windows were left open overnight to ventilate the property.
