A building society in Wolverhampton was evacuated this afternoon and six people were being treated at New Cross Hospital following a suspected chemical leak.

The drama happened just after midday at the Nationwide Building Society on Three Tuns Parade in Oxley, just off the A449 Stafford Road. Paramedics were initially called after a woman in her 20s, who is 12 weeks pregnant, began complaining of pins and needles.

West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman Chris Kowalik said six people, some of whom are believed to be customers, were complaining of feeling generally unwell and suddenly tired.

Nationwide spokeswoman Charlotte Sjoberg said this afternoon: “We are taking every precaution that we can and have closed the branch.”

Simon Hardiman, watch commander of Fallings Park fire station, confirmed at the scene: “It is a suspected carbon monoxide leak. Two fire engines from our station are at the scene and the building has been evacuated including the dentist’s.”