Sixteen people were sent to the hospital after being exposed to “improperly mixed pool chemicals” at a Texas resort.
The incident happened at the grand opening of the Great Wolf Lodge in Webster on Wednesday, Aug. 7, city officials confirmed in a social media post.
A third-party contractor at the resort was responsible for mixing the chemicals, which caused the dangerous reaction, according to a statement posted on Facebook. The chemical problem occurred in an “isolated” building separate from the hotel and water park.
Five people evacuated the building and 16 employees and contractors working in the affected area were transported to HCA Clear Lake Hospital and UTMB Hospital after decontamination was complete.
Webster Fire Chief Dean Spencer said The Houston Chronicle that two “different” chemicals sodium hypochlorite and sulfuric acid were mixed. When mixed, the two chemicals can create toxic chlorine gas, according to the US Chemical Safety and Hazard Research Board.
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“The Webster Fire Department isolated the tanks, monitored the area and confirmed that no chemicals were detected at the hotel or water park,” authorities said in a statement, noting that the situation was “quickly contained.”
The home also works with an environmental protection company to properly clean the tank.
A Great Wolf Lodge representative told PEOPLE on Thursday, Aug. 8, “The safety and well-being of our guests and pack members is always our primary focus.”
“We were informed yesterday afternoon that all those who were taken to hospital have been released following the incident in a separate building from our main indoor water park and resort. Safety is the most important,” the statement continued.
The spokesperson noted that the resort is adding additional safeguards for third-party suppliers of pool chemicals and is assisting officials in their investigation.
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Great Wolf Lodge’s grand opening was attended by Kelly Rowland, who told Fox 26 she was excited to bring her two children, 9-year-old Titan and 3-year-old Noah, to the water park.
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“It was amazing. I just enjoyed watching them be kids and have a good time and smile and make memories,” said the Houston native, who was unaffected by the chemical situation.
PEOPLE reached out to a representative for Rowland, but did not immediately respond. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up to date with the best PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
According to the resort’s website, it spans 27 acres and includes a 95,000-square-foot indoor water park and a 58,000-square-foot Great Wolf Adventure Park.
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Source: HIS Education