Fond du Lac Fire/Rescue Responds To Chemical Spill At Area Apartment Complex

A pool contractor was able to mitigate what might have turned into a larger problem when he noticed 2 chemicals mixing together at a Fond du Lac apartment complex Thursday.

Fond du Lac Fire/Rescue responded to the Countryside Village Apartments around 1:19 PM yesterday for a report that chlorine and sulfuric acid had mixed together creating a small chemical reaction and gas release.

Upon arrival, fire crews were directed to the apartment complex pool mechanical room where a small amount of each chemical mixed on the floor area.

A contractor was on site conducting work within the apartment complex pool area when the chemical liquid pumps inadvertently operated causing both chemicals to be released from the plumbing system and on to the floor area.

Apartment complex representatives working inside the office building that is adjacent to the pool area and mechanical room noticed a strong smell of chlorine gas and evacuated before any started to feel ill affects of the gas.

The pool contractor was able to disconnect the power to the chemical pumps and started diluting the chemical mixture with tap water
prior to the arrival of Fire / Rescue. Fire crews continued to dilute the chemical mixture on the floor and
a nearby floor drain by running water from a nearby water outlet.

A small perimeter around the pool area, apartment office building, and apartment mechanical shop was established by fire personnel to ensure safety of apartment employees and nearby residents.

Residents of the apartment complex were not required to evacuate.

Fire / Rescue personnel remained on the scene for 75 minutes to ensure that the office building was properly ventilated and safe for employees.