A
popular beach resort pool opened back up Thursday night after a
dangerous chemical reaction caused it to be evacuated, and left at least
three in need of medical assistance.
According to the Panama City Beach Fire
Department it was an accidental chemical release, something that
happened at the Edgewater Beach Resort when an employee was mixing
chlorine and murtic acid for the pool, a mixture they say they use
regularly.
"The area was evacuated before the hazmat
team got here. Them employees tried to do the best they could to
neutralize the chemical reaction and evacuating the pool area, so that
really helped a lot," says Captain Joe Cocco of the Panama City Beach
Fire Department.
The Panama City Beach Police and EMS also
responded. Two guests were evaluated on scene, and another child was
taken to the hospital.
"Anytime you have a chemical reaction of that
nature, you're always checking for respiratory and trying to make sure
they have no breathing difficulties," says Cocco.
Representatives from Edgewater say safety is a priority, and they take these situations seriously.
"We're airing on the side of caution. We just
want our guests safe," says Paul Wohlford with the Resort. "So anytime
you get a chemical spill, we want to do the right thing, go by the
books, call in the local authorities. They came in and inspected and
said everything is fine."
The child that did go to the hospital has
been released and is ok. The Edgewater Beach Resort pool is safe to use
and back open.
