MARCH 14, 2015
WALDORF, MARYLAND (WUSA9)
Excess chlorine in a hot tub and pool forced 70 guests to
evacuate the Hilton Garden Inn in Waldorf Saturday, fire officials said.
At approximately 8:46 a.m., fire officials say crews
responded to the Hilton Garden Inn located at 10385 O'Donnell Place for a
report of two children who may have been exposed to a chemical reaction in the
hot tub and pool of the hotel. Crews noticed a strong chemical odor coming from
the hot tub and pool on the first floor that had spread to three of the five
floors.
Fire officials say crews decided to evacuate about 70 hotel
guests to a library across the street. With the assistance of the Prince
George's County Hazmat Team, crews determined that a PUMP AND/OR filter
malfunction was allowing too much chlorine to get through and that caused a
chemical reaction, fire officials said.
A three and six-year-old reported a burning sensation in the
eyes and skin. Officials say the children were treated at the scene by EMS
personnel and released to their parents.
Fire officials say no one else was affected by the chemical
reaction.
Source: wtop.com