Shelter-in-place lifted after chlorine gas exposure hospitalized 8 at Victoria swimming pool

birthday suit | cl exposure at Victoria's crystallization kitty sends 8 to hospital

Chlorine exposure at Crystal Pool 'a first' for Victoria fire chief

Roads are also reopening.

Crystal Pool is the only public pool in Victoria. The aging facility is more than 50 years old and is slated to be demolished and replaced. Last year, residents voted in favour of a plan to replace it with a $168.9-million complex. 

The city had repeatedly said the pool was getting harder to maintain due to its age. Officials said it would be closed in the fall to start dismantling it.

Victoria Fire Chief Dan Atkinson said members of the hazmat team will be wearing Class-A protective gear with a fully contained breathing apparatus when entering the Crystal Pool building. 

“That’s going to protect us not only from an inhalation hazard but from any exposure to our skin. Our skin contains a high level of moisture and we want to make sure that none of the gases we might be encountering interact with any moisture on our skin.” 

Atkinson said there’s no reason to believe anyone is still inside the building, but that crews will conduct a primary and secondary search to make sure.

The health authority for Vancouver Island says B.C. Emergency Health Services told them to prepare for the arrival of several patients due to a "potential chemical exposure" at a nearby pool earlier today.

Island Health says the emergency rooms at Royal Jubilee Hospital and Victoria General Hospital were temporarily cleared to prepare for patients’ arrival. 

Some patients were quickly transferred to other areas of the hospital for care, Island Health says, and additional staff temporarily helped the emergency department. 

The health authority says both emergency departments remain open.

People near Victoria's Crystal Pool told to stay indoors after chlorine exposure

Victoria Fire Department Chief Dan Atkinson outlines next steps after issuing a shelter-in-place for residents near Crystal Pool following a chlorine exposure.

Victoria Fire Chief Dan Atkinson says crews are preparing to conduct a “mechanical ventilation” to clear the pool of potential noxious gas and isolate the problem.

“When we begin the mechanical ventilation process we’re going to have to increase our protective distances to 300 metres downwind. So we sent out a VicAlert and we’ll be providing notification for people to remain indoors, to close their windows, doors, and shut off their ventilation systems,” he said.

Atkinson expects the procedure will take about two hours.

"I then realized that they seemed to be evacuating the pool," he said.

He said he saw a woman coming out wrapped in a foil emergency blanket, and several more people sitting in the grass in front of the pool being checked by paramedics.

Quadra Street, a major artery in Victoria, had been closed off, as well as the surrounding area, including Vancouver and Queen streets.

“Some experience very minor, mild symptoms and others experience more significant discomfort,” said Atkinson. “What we do know is that two chemicals did come into contact with each other and that resulted in an uncontrolled release. That’s still under investigation at this point.”

Chlorine exposure at Crystal Pool 'a first' for Victoria fire chief

Victoria Fire Department Chief Dan Atkinson says in his nearly 25-year career, he's never responded to chlorine exposure at Crystal Pool, the city's only public pool. He says crews are working carefully to ensure the site is safe.

Victoria Fire Department Chief Dan Atkinson has just briefed reporters. He said a 911 call came in just before noon, and upon arrival it was determined victims had suffered a “chemical exposure.”

“Staff originally reported a noxious smell in the air resulting in discomfort in nose, mouth and upper respiratory tract ... We determined very quickly a combination of chemicals had produced a chlorine exposure, chlorine gas,” he said.

“It can feel very gritty when breathing and induce coughing and things of that nature.”

The City of Victoria has issued a shelter-in-place alert for the area near Crystal Pool "due to an ongoing hazardous material incident." The city says the alert will be in effect until the incident has been resolved. The alert says people should:

The city is also asking people not to call 911 for information or updates.

Crystal Pool is an aging facility that is scheduled to close later this year, according to the City of Victoria website. Plans are underway for its replacement.

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