Mix of Chlorine, Unknown Chemical Leads To HazMat Response at Santa Rosa Hotel

A Santa Rosa Fire Department official said a mixture of powdered bleach and the residue of an unknown chemical in a barrel caused a hazardous materials response at a hotel in northwest Santa Rosa this morning.

Battalion Chief Mark Basque said the chemicals that were inadvertently mixed inside the pool room at the Best Western Plus Wine Country Inn and Suites at 870 Hopper Ave. gave off a strong chlorine odor.

The Santa Rosa Fire Department responded around 10:15 a.m. Some residents of one of the motel’s two wings were evacuated for about 90 minutes.

The employee who mixed the chemicals dumped them into the pool but failed to notify management of the accidental release, Basque said.

“The hotel manager handled the incident appropriately,” Basque said.

The hazardous materials team left the scene at 12:30 p.m., Basque said.

--Bay City News