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A man was doused in whats believed to be bleach at a busy east London market.

He was at the junction of Broadway Market and Westgate Street, in Hackney, when an assailant poured a chemical substance on him just before 2pm today.

An ambulance crew assessed him at the scene, but he refused further treatment.

Police officers and a member of the public who were first on the scene gave the man first aid.

Metro understands the bleach was soon neutralised as a result, potentially limiting burns caused by the corrosive substance.

A man was arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm, after a more than hour-long manhunt.

He remains in police custody while an investigation continues.

One local business owner told Metro: ‘Two men were fighting outside and all of a sudden one pulled bleach out and squirted it over his face.

‘Police came and started chasing him, it was over very quickly.’

Another said: ‘After the attack people swarmed the area trying to help the man.

Police and ambulance were there pretty quickly, but it sounds like the guy was given first aid but wanted nothing more and left the scene as quick as he could.

Drivers have been warned to avoid the area due to the subsequent closure of Westgate Street, Hackney Council said.

One witness described total gridlock, with numerous police and ambulance service vehicles at the scene.

Two fire engines were also sent in case the attack involved a hazardous material.

Locals have complained about the area being a phone snatching hotspot, but it was not clear that this is connected to todays attack.

One said: ‘Phone snatchers operate here all the time. One time I saw a man who ripped a phone out of a woman’s hand as she was walking out the shop.

In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said: Police were called at about 1.40pm on Thursday, November 14, to reports of an assault at Broadway Market, E8.

Emergency services attended and were informed that a substance, believed to be bleach, had been poured on to a man at the location.

Officers attended and with the assistance of a member of the public provided the man with first aid.

He was treated at the scene by the London Ambulance Service.

A man has been arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm. He remains in custody. Enquiries continue.

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: We sent resources, including an ambulance crew, an incident response officer and members of our tactical response unit.

We assessed a patient at the scene but they declined further treatment.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

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