Pool-Cleaning Chemicals Cause Smoke

A cloud of smoke formed in a Colfax Road resident's yard Monday evening after a mixture of two different brands of pool-cleaning solution caused a chemical reaction, authorities said. 

The resident combined the chemicals in a bucket in his yard around 5 p.m., and backed away from the solution after detecting a strong odor, Fire Commissioner Barry Turner said. 

The solution immediately began to smoke and emergency services were notified, Turner said. Three fire companies and the fire department’s Special Response Unit - wearing gas masks and protective chemical suits - responded, removed the potentially dangerous chemicals and placed a small amount of new solution into the pool to dilute it - the best way to safely dispose of that type of substance, Turner said. 

Two other people, who were outside at the time, complained of stomach aches after breathing in the solution, Turner said. They were treated at the house and did not go to the hospital, Turner said. 

The Special Response Unit sealed the unused chemicals, Turner said, adding that the pool will be safe to use in a day or two.