11 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleEmmet McElhattonBBC News NI
GettyA dozen children taking swimming lessons in a Dublin pool needed medical attention after the area was contaminated by toxic fumes.
The young people and one adult were taken to hospital from the Clayton Hotel Liffey Valley on Thursday.
Irish national broadcaster RTÉ reported that a number of children were found to be suffering “respiratory distress and irritation”.
The Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB)’s chief fire officer Greg O’Dwyer told RTÉ the incident was caused by “overmixing” of chlorine and another chemical in the pool’s plant room.
“There were swimming lessons with 24 children in the pool at the time and some parents,” he added.
He said firefighters wearing “gas-tight suits” entered the scene and “isolated the chemical”.
The hotel declined to comment when contacted by BBC News NI.
In a statement, DFB said units were sent from across Dublin City, including from Tallaght, Dolphins Barn, Donnybrook and Dun Laoghaire fire stations.
“Specialist HazMat appliances from Donnybrook and Dun Laoghaire fire stations” attended and “set up a decontamination zone”, they said, adding there was no danger to the wider public.
