AN INVESTIGATION was under way today after at least ten people were taken to hospital following a gas leak at a Hampshire superstore.

The Asda store in Maynard Road, Totton, was evacuated yesterday after an explosion resulted in the escape of freon, used to cool fridges and freezers.

The casualties taken to Southampton General Hospital included at least four firefighters who came into contact with the gas.

An Asda spokesman at the company's head office in Leeds said: "There was a small explosion in the plant room after a compressor overheated.

"The refrigerant gas involved in the incident is not particularly harmful unless it's inhaled in huge quantities. Several firefighters and Asda employees were taken to hospital as a precaution, even though they were not ill and were not displaying any symptoms. They were all able to go home after a check-up.

"Also as a precaution the store was closed and fans installed to ventilate the premises while we investigated what happened and rectified the problem."

A Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said the drama

began when a small fire in the plant room ruptured a pipe containing freon. He added: "The first firefighters on the scene were a crew from Totton who put the fire out.

"It then became a Hazardous Materials Incident involving additional firefighters from Redbridge and St Mary's, who wore chemical protection suits. The Totton crew and several members of the public were taken to hospital as a precaution."

Police said the drama began shortly after 11am, an hour after the store had opened for business.

Staff were serving customers and collecting cash for Asda's Tickled Pink campaign, which supports Breast Cancer Care, when the order was given to evacuate the store.

A witness, who asked not to be named, said: "I was driving past when I saw three fire engines in Junction Road, part of which had been cordoned off. People living in houses opposite the rear entrance to Asda had come out of their homes and were trying to see what was happening.

"Asda staff were stopping shoppers going into the store. One of them said there had been a fire."

The Asda store was due to re-open today.