Chlorine leak injures 2 - forces evacuation

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Chlorine Leak Forces Evacuations In Lake
2 Transported To Local Hospital

December 10, 2002

A chlorine leak at a mobile home park in Lake County, Fla., injured two people and forced the evacuation of about 60 people, according to Local 6 News.
Authorities said that one of two 250-pound chlorine tanks at the Country Squire mobile home park pool was discovered to be leaking Tuesday morning. Two people were treated for chlorine exposure and were transported to Florida Hospital, Local 6 News reported. Three others were treated at scene and released.

Authorities said that the leak cannot be shut down because it is not at the valve. So, hazmat crews will attempt to stop the leak later Tuesday.

Watch Local 6 News for the latest on this story.

Story from http://www.local6.com/

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THE DAILY COMMERCIAL--ONLINE EDITION

Chlorine leak causes evacuation

Two mobile home residents hospitalized

12/10/02
by JACOB OGLES

The Country Squire mobile home park was devoid of routine activity Tuesday, as men in HazMat suits surveyed the evacuated park, sterilizing the community of chlorine. The evacuation of 40 mobile homes occurred after two 150-pound tanks started leaking thick amounts of chlorine into the air, according to Lake County Fire Rescue spokeswoman Patti Michel. The poisonous chemical can be extremely destructive if inhaled or if it touches the skin.

Five residents required medical attention, according to Lake-Sumter Emergency Medical Services Capt. Tom Lackey. Two of those residents were transported by ambulance to Florida Waterman Hospital in Eustis. Three others were treated at the scene and released.

“We need to neutralize the area and make sure it is safe now,” Michel said.

The community was evacuated at 6 a.m. Tuesday after a leak was discovered at the mobile home park’s water treatment facility, Michel said. Upon closer examination, a leak in a separate tank was discovered as well.

The leaks were most likely caused by corrosion, but Michel said the county hazardous materials team was removing the tanks and would take them to their lab to officially identify the cause.

Disposal of the leaking chlorine tanks is the responsibility of the mobile home park owners.

A third tank was also removed from the treatment center, and the county will make sure it has no leaks. Michel said there was no reason to believe the second tank was leaking, but the county was taking every possible precaution.

“Chlorine is extremely dangerous,” she said. “I’m not even allowed to walk anywhere near this equipment or the affected area.”

The area was secured by 27 Lake County Fire Rescue firefighters and sterilized by the Sheriff’s Office Hazardous Materials team.

Michel said most of the residents of the park were only slightly inconvenienced by the evacuation because they could go to work for the duration of the cleanup. For the remaining residents, temporary shelter was provided by the local Baptist church.

Michel said the entire sterilization process in the park was completed around 3 p.m., allowing the residents to return to their homes.