Lexington hotel evacuated, one person sent to hospital after pool chemical mix up
One person was sent to the hospital and an entire hotel in Lexington was evacuated Wednesday after a maintenance worker accidentally mixed pool chemicals that produced a toxic vapor, according to the Lexington Fire Department.
Firefighters initially responded to a call of a subject having difficulty breathing at the Residence Inn on Beaumont Circle, the fire department said. When firefighters discovered the worker’s condition was a result of a toxic exposure to pool chemicals, the incident was upgraded to a hazmat incident and the entire hotel was evacuated.
The fire department said the worker was really short of breath when firefighters first arrived, but he’s now considered to be in stable condition, per the fire department.
No one else was sent to the hospital, according to the fire department.
The fire department said the worker mixed chlorine bleach and muriatic acid together in an attempt to speed up the pool cleaning process. Mixing those chemicals produces a chlorine vapor, which can be lethal if you’re exposed long enough in a confined space, according to the fire department.
Firefighters removed the toxic product from the hotel and will send it to a chemical waste facility to properly dispose of it. Officials monitored air quality to make sure it returned to a safe level before letting guests back into the hotel. The fire department estimated it would have occupants back inside the hotel at roughly 11 a.m.
This story was originally published March 2, 2022 at 11:17 AM.
