A CHEMICAL leak within a van has sparked an emergency response at a city hospital.

Firefighters rushed to the scene shortly after 10am today after they received a report that the chemical leak was issuing from a van within the car park of Victoria Hospital.

The Victoria Hospital is a minor injuries unit based in the Battlefield area of the city.

Emergency services are now working to make the area safe.

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is currently working to contain a chemical leak issuing from a van within the car park of Victoria Hospital in Glasgow.

“Operations Control immediately mobilised four appliances and an environmental protection unit after the alarm was raised at 10.25am on Wednesday, December 13.

“Crews are working with emergency service colleagues to make the area safe.”

Police Scotland confirmed that the main door to the hospital has been closed as a precaution and is expected to remain inaccessible to visitors for some time.

The force added that the hospital is operating as normal. 

A spokeswoman for Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board said: "We can confirm a small chemical spillage occurred in a vehicle outside the New Victoria Hospital on Wednesday morning.

"Formalin was being transported in a sealed container. When the delivery van arrived at the site it was discovered that one container had accidentally opened in transit.

"Our staff responded quickly and appropriately, linking in with the emergency services. A chemical team from Scottish Fire and Rescue promptly dealt with the spillage, while police directed members of the public to other entrances while the situation was dealt with. Two staff members were also checked by medical colleagues as a precaution but are fine.

"There was no impact on patients and the hospital returned to normal working."