A 'CHEMICAL incident' saw seven people rushed to hospital and 10 homes evacuated last night.

       Emergency services scrambled to a property on Wren Road in Dagenham, London at around 10pm after terrified residents reported breathing difficulties.

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       The mystery chemical is believed to be palytoxin, a dangerous substance released from coral in a fish tank

       Paramedics found seven people struggling to breathe and the London Ambulance Service called in their Hazardous Area Response Team.

       The mystery chemical is believed to be palytoxin, a dangerous substance released from coral in a fish tank.

       First responders declared it a Hazmat incident as the substance understood to be found can lead to breathing difficulty, chest pain and death.

       Locals affected are currently undergoing medical treatment, while 10 homes have been cordoned off.

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       A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called at 9.46pm on 10 August to reports of an incident at a residential address on Wren Road.

       “We sent a number of resources including ambulance crews, an incident response officer and members of our Hazardous Area Response Team (HART).

       “We responded alongside colleagues from London Fire Brigade.

       “We treated seven patients and took them all to hospital.”

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       A spokesperson for the Met Police said: "Police were called to a residential property on Wren Road, Dagenham at about 10pm on Saturday, August 11 following reports of a chemical incident.

       "Police, LAS and LFB attended.

       "Seven people were treated at the scene and taken to hospital after being exposed to a chemical substance. They sustained minor respiratory issues.

       "Officers assisted with road closures at the scene. These were reopened shortly before midnight."

       A number of triggers can cause coral to release palytoxin, from heat stress to breakage.

       Fish tank owners should be aware halide lights used to nurture coral can spark heat stress in corals that are not in water, which leads to palytoxin release.

       If small pieces of coral break off, fragmentation, this can also see the harmful substance released.

       Meanwhile zoantharians, a type of animal found in coral reefs, produce a slime that will send out palytoxin if exposed to air.

       The creatures can also emit the toxin through a type of mist.

       Symptoms Of Palytoxin Poisoning

       Flu-like symptoms such as coughing, fever, chills, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, chest pain, respiratory distress. Skin symptoms include rash or hives, itching, numbness, dermatitis. Respiratory symptoms include wheezing, tight chest, shortness of breath, runny nose, fluid in the lungs. Gastrointestinal symptoms include abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea. Ocular symptoms range from conjunctivitis, photophobia, blurred vision, to corneal ulceration. Neurological symptoms can be fatigue, dizziness, speech disturbance, bitter metallic taste, tremors, tingling or numbness of extremities. Muscle symptoms include pain, weakness, cramps, spasms. Cardiac effects range from irregular, slow, fast heart rate, cardiac muscle damage, low or high blood pressure