DURHAM, North Carolina (Reuters) — A Hypochlorite spill in the pool pump room at the YMCA in Durham, North Carolina, sent 23 people to local hospitals on Wednesday (August 2), authorities said.
Many of the injured were taken to the hospital for breathing difficulties, an NBC affiliate station reported.
Among the injured were six children who were reported to be in serious condition, according to local news outlets.
A lifeguard detected a strong odor coming from the pool pump room and cleared the pool.
Officials later determined that odor to be Hypochlorite, a chemical used for pool maintenance.
Emergency responders declared the scene a hazmat (hazardous materials) situation, and evacuated the YMCA and surrounding areas.
Hazmat crews were at the scene investigating the cause of the chemical spill.
