Life is back to normal at a West Kelowna hotel after a sudden evacuation on Monday because of a hazardous chemical situation.
The Best Western Plus Wine Country Hotel and Suites had to be vacated when, according to West Kelowna Fire Rescue, a hotel employee accidentally mixed acid and chlorine during routine pool maintenance.
Several websites, including this one and this one, state that mixing acid and chlorine can result in a noxious gas.
The incident on Monday happened around 4 p.m., with West Kelowna Fire Rescue (WKFR) crews arriving, then securing and evacuating the area.
“Hazmat teams entered the pool maintenance area, where they discovered a solution of acid and chlorine in a bucket that an employee had inadvertently mixed during routine pool maintenance,” said WKRF assistant fire chief Brent Watson.
“The bucket containing the mixture was safely contained and then removed to the outside of the hotel, where it was picked up for disposal by a specialty hazmat company.”
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WKFR said one employee was transported to hospital after inhaling gas from the acid and chlorine mixture. WKFR also said several employees and guests reported minor symptoms and were assessed on scene by B.C. Ambulance.
On Tuesday, the hotel general manager was reporting all-normal conditions.
Rosemary Paterson said the affected employee is fine and that WKFR wanted the hotel empty overnight for air circulation. Paterson said the hotel was given the all clear on Tuesday. Paterson added that impacted guests were transferred to hotels in Kelowna.
“Everything is normal, we’re back to business,” said Paterson, adding, “we’ve resumed a normal course.”