Park Hyatt Sydney evacuated as chlorine mixed with acid

Six people were taken to hospital and 75 evacuated after chlorine and hydrochloric acid were mistakenly mixed together on February 24 at a prestige Sydney hotel, the Park Hyatt in the Rocks.

All people have been released from hospital after being treated for minor respiratory ailments as a consequence of breathing in the chlorine fumes.

This is the second recent incident of a chlorine mixing mishap in Sydney, following the case of Clinton Maynard in December.

Fire and Rescue NSW were called at about 9:30 am and removed the chemicals and ventilated the hotel after the spill. At approximately 11:00 am they declared the area safe.

Inspector Wayne Buxton told reporters at the scene that the spillage occurred on the third floor and consisted of chlorine and an acid. The fire service removed the substance from the third floor to the fourth floor and emptied the contents of that particular container into the swimming pool, which neutralised the problem. However, the smell had already permeated the whole building and forced a full evacuation of approximately 75 guests and staff.

The six people taken to hospital consisted of five staff and one guest.

Inspector Buxton said that while the fumes were initially quite severe, the air was monitored air quality machines and improved to the point it was lower than normal but not detrimental to health.

Keep informed with the free SPLASH! newsletter or follow SPLASH! on social media:Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Google+.