FIREFIGHTERS tackling a dangerous gas leak at Coseley Swimming Pool which left nearly 50 people needing medical treatment said they were “20 minutes” away from a major disaster.

A total of 48 people, many of them children, were left with watering eyes, breathing difficulties and throat and noise irritation after the chlorine gas leak.

The swimmers, aged from eight to 26 and many of them still in their swimming costumes, were treated in special emergency tents set up outside the baths, which are set to close in the summer.

Sixteen were then taken to New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton, 13 to Russells Hall Hospital, Dudley, and three to Sandwell General Hospital.

All were later believed to have been released from hospital.

Today, as health and safety experts probed the leak, firefighters revealed they had used equipment designed for terrorism incidents to identify the gas involved.

West Midlands Fire Service Commander Bob Deeks said: “There was an issue with chlorine gas which is the same sort of thing that was used in the first World War.

“We were about 20 minutes away from a much more serious incident. We would have been looking at serious sickness, not just itchy eyes and runny noses.

“The staff at the pool did a great job getting everybody out when they did.

“We used equipment here designed for terrorism incidents to identify what substance was causing the problem.

“All the emergency services worked really well together. You practice for these things but it’s nice to know we can do it.”

Elaine Cullen, a cleaner aged 56, from Pear Tree Lane, said: “About 3pm, I noticed screaming coming out of the baths.