If you happen to be passing by the corner of Fritz Sonnenberg and Beach Road today, you will probably have to take a detour.

At about 9AM this morning, City Parks building was evacuated after two men inhaled what smelled like chlorine. The area was then evacuated and paramedics attended to around 20 people who were in “yellow code” status, which implies breathing is impaired, but not critical.

Chlorine is a toxic gas that attacks the respiratory system‚ eyes‚ and skin. Because it is denser than air‚ it tends to accumulate at the bottom of poorly ventilated spaces.

ER24 spokesperson Russel Meiring said when emergency services arrived, several patients reported to have experienced difficulty breathing.

ER24 paramedics and metro services set a triage area to assess all of the patients on scene. Forty-three people were assessed while a hazardous materials team was sent into the building to assess the situation.

The 13 people in need of further treatment were taken to the Groote Schuur and New Somerset Hospitals respectively.

It has been reported that the building houses the team responsible for the Sea Point swimming pool and that chlorine was being stored on site. Further investigations are underway.

[source: new24&timeslive]