The Fargo Fire Department responded to a hazardous pool chemical spill at a La Quinta Inn & Suites on Sunday, May 28.
The call came in at 9:30 p.m., and firefighters arrived to find several people standing outside the hotel. They rushed inside to determine the extent of the spill, and learned that a combination of acids used to maintain the water quality of the pool had been spilled.
Authorities believe that an employee dropped a container of the acid while doing pool maintenance, and it created a chemical cloud. Eight to 10 children were exposed to the chemicals and suffered from irritated airways, coughing, nausea, and vomiting. One person was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
Ventilation was set up and the area was cleared in about 1 1/2 hours. Only the pool area was affected by the spill, and it will remain closed until testing of the water can be done.
Authorities say that less than two gallons of the chemical spilled in total. The cause of the spill is still under investigation.