Fire crews were called to a Hampshire pub on Monday (18/01/2010), after what is believed to be hazardous freon gas was found to be leaking from a refrigerator.

ThisisHampshire.net reports that the alarm was raised after a member of staff at the King’s Head pub in Wickham became unwell after smelling an unfamiliar odour in a walk-in chiller on the premises.

Ambulance crews attended and treated the staff member, who was taken to the Queen Alexandra Hospital as a precautionary measure.

The effects of freon gas – also known as Perfluorocyclobutane among other names – include asphyxiation and irregular heart beat in high concentrations. It can also cause eye problems in wearers of contact lenses. Skin and clothing need to be washed after contact with the gas.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue services said that experts in hazardous materials were investigating the leak and its possible source at the pub.

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