A LANDLORD was taken to hospital with chest pains after his pub filled with toxic fumes.

Stan Lucas, who runs the Waggon and Horses in Lawrence Street, was rushed to York District Hospital yesterday afternoon as firefighters dressed in full chemical suits searched for the source.

They found a leaking canister in the cellar.

Checks confirmed it was urethane resin, a type of liquid plastic. It is toxic, flammable and harmful when inhaled.

Mr Lucas was given oxygen but was released from hospital the same day.

He said: "I had gone down to the cellar and realised that the canister was leaking. I could smell the fumes.

"It was by the cellar door and not in the public bar, so there was never any real risk to customers, but I called out the fire brigade.

"I'm absolutely fine. I was taken to hospital as a precaution, but I wasn't kept in."

He said the canister had been left by the previous landlord, and he hadn't known what had been in it.

"I'm waiting for a report from the fire brigade and the Health and Safety Executive."

Station Officer Dick Riley, who is based in York and was called to the pub, said: "When we arrived we didn't know what it was.

"In those situations we take all precautions to protect ourselves. We need to make sure that if ten of our officers go in, ten come out."

Updated: 10:49 Monday, October 15, 2001