Oxford residents have been warned to avoid a city centre area after a public safety incident.

Emergency services were called to Oxford Ice Rink on Oxpens Road at around 9.35am this morning (Tuesday, August 20).

Five fire engines, five police cars and other fire service vehicles could be seen outside the leisure facility with blue lights on.

Police officers cordoned off the path around the ice rink as well as the bridges and woods behind the building as firefighters set up a 100m space.

READ MORE: NINE fire engines and police cars race to ice rink after chemical leak

Thames Valley Police officers taped off the nearby bridge.Thames Valley Police officers taped off the nearby bridge. (Image: Newsquest)

The public were warned to avoid the area after the emergency services revealed that a chemical leak had occurred.

A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police said: “Officers are currently assisting Oxfordshire Fire & Rescue Service with a chemical incident at the Oxford Ice Rink.

“The road is currently open however please avoid the area if you can, to allow a safe working environment for all emergency services on scene.”

A spokesperson for Oxfordshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service said: "We were called to Oxford Ice Rink at 9.35am this morning to attend a chemical leak.

READ MORE: Police tape off woods after emergency incident

"Four fire engines from Rewley Road, Abingdon, Kidlington and Slade Park fire stations are in attendance.

"The leak has been safely contained and was in the plant room at the ice rink, so not in the public area.

"As a precaution a 100m cordon has been put in place.

"Some of Oxfordshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service’ crews will remain on site as a precaution for the time being."

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