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WEST JORDAN — Residents at a housing community were evacuated from their homes after a man working with pool chemicals mixed chlorine bleach with an acid, causing a chemical reaction.
West Jordan Fire Battalion Chief Reed Scharman said the incident occurred around 4:35 p.m. near 6800 South and 3800 West. The area was sealed off and an area of 300 feet around the pool was evacuated. The worker had also been taken to the hospital but Scharman did not know the details of his condition.
"Chlorine is an irritant and it's definitely not something you want to inhale," Scharman said.
Scharman said the total amount of liquid was small, but crews were exercising caution to avoid further injury.
"Once we've rendered that area safe then everyone would be able to come back in," he said. "We just need to make sure no gas is coming off of it."
Orson West, a resident and president of the homeowners association, said he and his neighbors were told it could be as late as 11 p.m. when they would be allowed back into their homes. A nearby LDS church building was reportedly opened to house those evacuated.
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