A Kelowna hotel was evacuated Thursday morning after a hazmat call.
Emergency crews were called to Kelowna Comfort Suites near Highway 97 and Leathead Road just before 10 a.m.
Capt. Tim Light of the Kelowna Fire Department says a worker was trying to mix muriatic acid to clean the tiles of the hotel pool when he mistakenly mixed the acid with liquid chlorine.
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Light says the combination creates noxious fumes.
“We are worried about acidic fumes, sulphuric acid fumes and caustic halogens,” Light said.
The hazmat team was assembled to attempt to plug the barrel containing the chemical mixture.
“Some of the problems with doing that is it will pressurize the vessel. If it is in a closed vessel, it will pressurize the vessel and you could have a pressurized explosion then. We have to get the guys in there in their A-level suits,” Light said.
Six hazmat team members suited up to deal with the situation.
The worker was taken to hospital to be checked out. Two other employees were also taken to hospital for observation.
No word on when the guests will be allowed back inside the hotel.
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