Poisonous cloud interrupts wedding reception

Share

By Nick Winkler and KATU Web Staff

Summary

Several people were sent to the hospital after a cloud of toxic gas in the pool area sickened several people attending a Portland wedding party. In all 13 children and one hotel worker received treatment at a local hospital.

Story Published: Apr 15, 2007 at 1:08 PM PDT

Story Updated: Jan 13, 2010 at 4:35 PM PDT

PORTLAND, Ore. - Fourteen people, 13 of them kids, were taken to area hospitals Saturday night after hazardous gas interrupted their pool party.

It happened about 9:15 p.m. at a wedding party taking place at the Embassy Suites Hotel near Portland International Airport at 7900 N.E. 82nd Ave.

A relative of several sickened children said a strange odor filled the pool room making many of the boys and girls cough and vomit.

A maintenance man was working in a nearby storage room when the chemicals got mixed.  He also became sick and was taken to the hospital along with 13 children.  Another adult who was there refused treatment.

Portland Fire and Rescue hazardous materials team members took samples of chemicals and monitored the air. Officials determined the chemicals were muriatic acid and sodium hypochlorite, a disinfectant commonly used as a pool cleaner.

Authorities believe a small amount of acid mixed with some of the sodium hypochlorite during routine testing and maintenance of the pool. The mixture caused a vapor/gas to form in the pool area, portland fire officials said.

Crews remained at the scene until 11:20 p.m. to ventilate and monitor the pool area. It was then turned back to the hotel.

It was not clear whether the pool was reopened Sunday.