17 children swimmers hospitalized

Seventeen children were taken to local hospitals and 17 others had to be decontaminated this morning when an “inordinate amount of chlorine was inadvertantly released into the pool” during a public swim session at Los Angeles County’s Arcadia Park on Santa Anita Avenue.

Dozens of fire and rescue and police vehicles swarmed the park and area around the before just before lunch, and media quickly followed with stories breaking on local TV and radio stations and websites.

Arcadia police and fire units responded about about 11:20 a.m. to a call about a chemical release into the public pool. Upon arrival of the officers, the pool had already been evacuated by park staff. Fire personnel, including Paramedics, set up a triage area. The circumstances surrounding the chlorine release is under investigation.

Approximately 34 children between the ages of 6 and 11 were treated/decontaminated as a result of chemical exposure, according to the police. The remaining children in and around the pool were released to parents. No serious injuries were reported from any of the 17 children who were transported to local hospitals, 16 of whom remained stable throughout the afternoon and were released following an observation period.

The circumstances surrounding the chlorine release is under investigation.

Refer questions to Fire Department Public Information Officer Beth Stogner at (626) 574-5112.

– By Scott Hettrick