A MAIN shopping street in Oxford was closed down for more than three hours, and 13 people treated by ambulance crews after a suspected gas leak from a coffee shop.

The incident occured at the new Costa Coffee store in Queen Street, which opened less than two weeks ago.

More than 60 people were evacuated from Costa Coffee and the surrounding shops. Casualties were treated for gas inhalation and two were taken to John Radcliffe Hospital as a precaution.

They were not thought to be seriously inujured.

Sarah Barbot was the manager on duty at the time.

She said: “I went upstairs and could smell something that smelled like gas.

“Then some people started coughing, so I just got everybody out as fast as possible.” Three fire engines and around 20 firefighters attended the scene, but were unable to identify the gas.

One half of the street was closed to the public while they waited for more advanced equipment.

Station Manager at Rewley Road Station Peter Graham was the senior fire officer at the scene.

He said: “We think either a refrigerator or air conditioning unit was the source of the leak, which appeared to have been refrigerant gas.

“We cordened off the street to make sure people were totally safe while we determined exactly what it was.”

Costa Coffee said a “detailed investigation” had been launched into the source of the leak.

A spokesman said: “There is no gas supply to our store. The safety and security of our guests and staff is our greatest priority and we would like to express our concern for those team members affected by the incident.”