Crews dive into acid spill cleanup at Wellesley pool

WELLESLEY, Mass. -- Four employees at Boston Sports Club in Wellesley were hospitalized Monday after a mix of toxic pool chemicals spilled inside the facility.

No club members were injured.

“We had some pool workers in the back of the building. They had 150 gallons of chlorine that is meant to feed a whirlpool that’s in the building. A worker inadvertently added a gallon of muriatic acid to that 150 gallons of chroline, and that caused some noxious fumes to enter the building,” said Deputy Chief Jeff Peterson of the Wellesley Fire Department.

The building was immediately evacuated.

To clean up the spill and dissipate the fumes, the chlorine solution containing the muriatic acid needed to be poured into an 88,000 gallon swimming pool. Hazmat workers, fire crews and state health officials assisted at the scene.

The victims, suffering from respiratory issues, were transported to either Newton-Wellesley Hospital or Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital Needham. All are expected to be treated and released.

Boston Sports Club released the following statement: "Today, there was a chemical spill in the pool area at Boston Sports Clubs (BSC) in Wellesley. It was contained and no members were affected. The BSC staff worked quickly to evacuate the club for precautionary purposes. They are currently working with the local EPA, Board of Health, and Fire Department to investigate the cause and rectify the situation. Pending the outcome, the public will be alerted once the club reopens."

The facilty has since re-opened.

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