Five fight for life in Legionnaire's outbreak

Five people are fighting for their lives after an outbreak of Legionnaire's disease in Cumbria which has already claimed one life.

A council-run civic centre in Barrow-in-Furness has been closed while tests are carried out to identify the source of the outbreak in the town.

An 89-year-old local man became the first victim of the disease, which hospital officials say could claim up to 20 lives.

Nineteen people have been confirmed as being infected, nine of whom are in intensive care. The remaining 10 are in a poorly but stable condition.

Five of those are giving doctors "cause for concern", a hospital spokesman said. A further 35 men and women are suspected to have the disease.

A council spokesman says he hopes the source of the infection has now been isolated and closed down.

Cllr Terry Waiting says the air conditioning plant at the Forum 28 civic centre opposite Barrow town hall had been closed down on Thursday after it was found to be expelling steam.

There had been no danger to people inside the centre but instead the steam - which is thought to have carried the bug - was being expelled in to the street.

Those walking through an alleyway alongside the building towards Barrow Town Square could therefore have become infected from inhaling the steam, he said.