A homeowner in Ohio caused an explosion on Thursday while mixing pool chemicals, resulting in a powerful blast that shook the neighborhood and led to the hospitalization of five individuals.
The five individuals were injured due to a chemical reaction while preparing their swimming pool for the upcoming summer season. The Eastlake Fire Department reported that a homeowner in the Cleveland suburb of Eastlake was preparing chlorine for their backyard pool inside their home. A total of eleven individuals were present at the residence during the incident, and they promptly evacuated the premises and attempted to cleanse themselves of the hazardous substances using a garden hose.
Five individuals were taken to a hospital after experiencing symptoms, including itchy eyes, respiratory difficulties, and minor chlorine burns. Everyone is currently in stable condition.
Every year, countless Americans suffer injuries caused by the commonly used chemicals used to keep swimming pools clean and safe. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported approximately 13,508 emergency department visits between 2015 and 2017 due to injuries caused by pool chemicals, with the majority of these incidents involving children. Two-thirds happen during the summer swimming season.
In 2023, a dozen individuals, including multiple young ones, were transported to a medical facility due to an excessive amount of chlorine being added to a lazy river pool in Houston. Specialized crews were dispatched to decontaminate the affected area following an unintentional spill. In 2018, a significant number of individuals required hospitalization due to chlorine gas exposure at a swim club in California.
An investigation is currently underway to determine the cause of the incident, although it appears that the reaction was unintentional. Hazmat crews were dispatched to the area and are currently conducting tests. However, residents were not required to evacuate, and Whittington assured us that the chlorine vapor cloud was already dispersing.
The Red Cross was also notified and is providing assistance to the home’s residents. Willowick, Wickliffe, Willoughby, Willoughby Hills, and Mentor also assisted in the response.
Eastlake is situated approximately 90 minutes away from Youngstown, and there was a tragic incident last month at an apartment building in Youngstown that resulted in one fatality and multiple injuries. Officials initially suspected that the explosion was caused by natural gas but later stated that the cause is currently being investigated.
