Harper Street, east Belfast: Fire Service and PSNI called 'to reports of chemical incident'
Firefighters were called to reports of a chemical incident in East Belfast today.
Just after noon, the PSNI released a statement saying that they and emergency services were attending the Harper Street area of east Belfast.
"We are aware of online speculation in relation to the nature of this incident, at this time, there is not believed to be a wider threat to the public," they said.
There was unconfirmed speculation on social media that someone had called emergency services to say they had been in contact with the nerve agent novichok.
It is understood police treated the incident as concern for the safety of an individual.
The FIre Service told the News Letter it was called out just before 10am "to reports of a chemical incident on Harper Street".
A spokeswoman said firefighters assessed the incident alongside other emergency services and one person was left in the care of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service. Firefighters left the scene at 11.41am.
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said it tasked an Emergency Ambulance, two HART (Hazardous Area Resonse Teams) Teams and an Emergency Planning Officer to the incident.
“Following assessment and initial treatment at the scene, one patient was brought to Mater Hospital, Belfast, by Ambulance,” it added.