'Pungent Odor' Made By 2 Chemicals Prompts Hazmat Response: Aurora FD

AURORA, IL — A "pungent odor" created when two chemicals were mixed Monday morning in the clubhouse of an Aurora apartment complex led to a hazardous materials response from the Aurora Fire Department, officials said.

Hazmat technicians and firefighters were dispatched at 10:21 a.m. to the 1200 block of Nantucket Road on the city's west side for an odor investigation. After maintenance employees informed crews that a mixture created an odor, the area was evacuated and cordoned off until the team could mitigate the situation.

Officials said the chemicals involved were muriatic acid and chlorine. They were mixed in a container and began producing a "strong and noticeable odor that permeated the surrounding area."

"These chemicals are known to pose a significant risk to human health and the environment due to their hazardous properties," fire officials wrote in a news release. Inhalation of the chemicals can cause severe toxicity, leading to respiratory distress and other serious issues. The chemicals are highly corrosive and when mixed with water can trigger a violent reaction."

No first responders or civilians were injured in the incident, officials said.

Hazmat technicians, donning protective suits, entered the area to contain the spill to the container, which was sealed, removed from the building and taken to a secure location, according to the release. Officials said crews continued to monitor the area with calibrated equipment to ensure there was no danger to the public.

The complex's management brought in a professional clean-up company to secure the chemicals and appropriately dispose of them. Fire department personnel remained on the scene with the crew.