Chemical leak at Clayton Hotel Liffey Valley pool sends 13 to Hospital

12 children and an adult were brought to hospital after a chemical leak at the swimming pool in Clayton Hotel Liffey Valley on Thursday afternoon, but there was “no danger to the wider public.”

The chemical leak came from the “overmixing” of chemicals in the plant room at the Clondalkin hotel where swimming classes were ongoing, with 24 children and some adults in the pool at the time.

Dublin Fire Brigade Chief Fire Officer Greg O’Dwyer stated on RTE’s Morning Ireland that toxic fumes entered the pool area as a result and affected the adults and children present.

The DFB Chief Fire Officer said: “It appears that there were two chemicals being mixed in the plant room, and I think there was an overmixing and toxic fumes escaped into ventilation and into the swimming pool area, where there were swimming lessons with 24 children in the pool at the time and some parents.”

Hazmat suits were worn by members of the Dublin Fire Brigade who attended the scene as they worked to isolate the hazardous substance.

Units from Tallaght, Dolphins Barn, Donnybrook and Dun Laoghaire, with special hazmat appliances from the latter two were at the scene, along with the National Ambulance Service.

The hotel ensured that rooms were made available for the children to shower and be assessed by a doctor.

Some parents and children travelled alongside family members who were transported hospital.

Mr O’Dwyer noted the levels of the leak caused “respiratory distress and irritation” but that the levels “were not of any great concern.”

The Dalata Hotel Group, who owns the Clayton Hotel Liffey Valley, noted that an investigation into the issue will occur “as soon as possible.”

The group stated: “A thorough investigation of the circumstances surrounding this incident will take place as soon as possible.

“Our immediate thoughts are with those impacted and their families. We are doing everything in our power to support them and the emergency services.”

A statement from DFB reads: “We were called at 1539 hrs [Thursday] afternoon to reports of a hazardous materials incident at a swimming pool complex in Liffey Valley, Clondalkin.

“DFB units from Tallaght, Dolphins Barn, Donnybrook and Dun Laoghaire fire stations were mobilised to the scene along with the National Ambulance Service and Gardaí.

“Firefighter/paramedics in breathing apparatus and chemical protection suits have isolated the hazardous substance and patients are being assessed by NAS and DFB personnel. There is no danger to the wider public and we expect the incident to be scaled back shortly.

“Specialist HazMat appliances from Donnybrook and Dun Laoghaire fire stations are at the incident and have set up a decontamination zone. Operations are continuing at the moment.”