Two children among nine people injured after 'man threw acid at them' in horror chemical attack
Officers are at the scene in Clapham, London (file pic)
PA
A woman and her two young children are among nine people who have been taken to hospital following a suspected acid attack.
Officers from the Met Police were called to Lessar Avenue in Clapham Common, south London at around 7.25pm.
A total of nine people, including three police officers, have been taken to hospital.
An investigation is currently underway with the National Police Air Service and the Met Police launching a manhunt in the area.
Lessar Avenue in Clapham Common
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Detective Superintendent Alexander Castle said: "Officers are on scene following this horrific incident. Three victims - a woman and her two young children - have been taken to hospital for treatment.
"Three other people - all adults - have been taken to hospital for injuries sustained, we believe, as they came to their aid. We will update as soon as we know more about their conditions.
"Three police officers have also been taken to hospital after they responded to the incident. Thankfully we believe their injuries to be minor. While tests are ongoing to determine what the substance is, at this stage we believe it to be a corrosive substance.
"A man was seen fleeing the scene. We are drawing on resources from across the Met to apprehend this individual and work is ongoing to determine what has led to this awful incident."
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Marina Ahmad, Labour’s London Assembly member for Lambeth & Southwark, posted on social media: "There has been a traffic collision with a man assaulting occupants in a car and throwing acid. Victims include children."
A spokesperson from London Ambulance Service said: "Three patients were taken to a local hospital and the other was discharged at the scene."
A spokesperson for London Fire Brigade said: "Firefighters were called to a chemical incident on Lessar Avenue in Clapham this evening. Working alongside emergency service partners, crews provided immediate emergency care to a woman and two children.
"Five further people were also treated at the scene. They were all taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service crews. Crews also used specialist equipment to detect a corrosive substance that is believed to have been used in the incident."
The spokesperson added: "The Brigade was called at 19.35 and the incident was over for firefighters by 21.21. Two fire engines from Clapham and Battersea fire stations attended the scene."