By Bill Novak
The Capital Times
SUN PRAIRIE, Wis. — A chlorine gas leak at a Sun Prairie swimming facility sickened nearly two dozen people Wednesday morning, but there were no apparent serious injuries, authorities reported.
Sun Prairie police said 22 people went to hospitals, including 14 children and eight adults.
Madison Fire Department spokeswoman Lori Wirth reported from the scene that about 10 EMS ambulances, including three Madison units, responded at about 10 a.m. to Kindred Hearts Senior Living, 605 Chase Blvd., after chlorine gas came out of a supply room and exposed young children in a swimming class.
The swimming class was conducted by Kittleson Swim School, which leases the assisted living center’s pool.
Owner Dan Kittelson said air in a chemical supply room pushed out the chlorine gas smell, but the exposure to the kids and adults in the swimming pool area was slight.
Kittleson told madison.com there were about 15 kids, ages 3 and 4, in the class, with parents also in the swimming area.
Wirth said the response by EMS units was swift because of the number of people in the area and because youngsters were involved.
“Parents were naturally very concerned with a lot of anxiety,” Wirth said. “People moved very quickly responding to this incident.”
Victims were taken by ambulances to Meriter and UW Hospitals.
Wirth said several lifeguards at the pool also were exposed.
“It didn’t sound like there were any serious injuries,” she said.
The hazardous materials team from the fire department had been sent out initially, but was called back.
Police reported no injuries or sickness at Kindred Hearts Senior Living due to the chlorine gas smell.
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