WORKERS at a Hampshire industrial estate were evacuated after workers fell ill when an “unknown smell” was detected.

Four people suffered sickness after breathing in what is believed to be a gas inside an industrial unit at Nursling Industrial Estate in Southampton.

Fire crews were called to the scene shortly before 7.30am and evacuated 46 people from the large open plan building.

Specialist hazardous materials (hazmat) teams were sent in to check if the substance was dangerous.

Hazmat officer Howard Watts said: "The smell was believed to be coming from the mezzanine floor of the industrial unit.

"Following an evacuation, a specialist hazardous materials team of three entered the premises in gas protection equipment and found no hazardous substances.

“The team then vented the premises and stood down at 10.25am.”

Teams from Redbridge, Totton, Romsey, the Special Equipment Unit and a pump from St Mary's, as well as the Detection Identification and Monitoring (DIM) vehicle from Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service's Eastleigh headquarters all attended the incident.