APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Appleton Fire Department crews were dispatched Sunday, March 5, 2023, around 11:47 A.M., to 218 E Lawrence St. in Appleton, the address of the Appleton YMCA, for a medical call.
But upon arriving crews could smell the odor of chlorine and called in the Hazardous Materials Team, and began evacuating the building.
The investigation, according to an Appleton Fire Department press release, revealed that pool chemicals had been mixed resulting in a reaction releasing chlorine gas.
The Haz-Mat team made several entries to the pool chemical storage area to assess and remove the reacting chemicals from the building. They were then properly disposed of without further incident.
The release indicated multiple people at the scene reported difficulty breathing and also reported the smell of chlorine.
The Appleton YMCA reported on its Facebook page shortly after noon that the facility had closed for the day due to mechanical difficulties in the building.
The fire department cleared the scene around 4:30 p.m. The Appleton Fire Department was assisted by Appleton Police and Gold Cross Ambulance.
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