11 People Hospitalized in Naperville Chemical Spill

Eleven people were taken to Edward Hospital this morning after a chemical spill at Goldfish Swim School in Naperville. Of the 11 people, eight of them were children.

According to Naperville Fire Bureau Chief George Hyland, the call for assistance came in at 10:23 a.m. When medics arrived at the scene, they found people outside the school complaining of nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath and chest pain.

“To my knowledge, there were no life threats,” Hyland said.

Everyone that was taken to the hospital were already outside by the time medics arrived.

“No one had to be rescued,” Hyland said. “People were out in the open air.”

The cause of the sickness is believed to be from the chlorine that was added to the pool to clean the water. Hyland said he did not know if there kids in the pool at the time the chlorine was added.

“How it gets administered to the pool and in what doses and whether it was done manually or automatically, that I can’t speak to,” Hyland said.

Hyland said 19 people refused treatment.

The scene was secured at around 11:40 a.m.

According to Edward Hospital Public Information Officer Keith Hartenberger, all patients are expected to be treated and released today. Earlier reports indicated that six children and three adults were taken to the hospital, but Hartenberger said that number had been bumped up.

According to the Daily Herald, the school has closed for the day and it’s unknown when it will reopen. A statement from the school is expected to be released today. A phone call to the school was not answered.