Chaos after ‘chemical exposure’ at pool

Ten people, including six children, have been taken to hospital after being exposed to dangerous chemicals at a Sydney pool.

Emergency services were called to a swim centre in Prestons, southwest of Sydney just before 4pm on Friday.

A total of 30 people were evacuated from the centre, with 14 tended to by paramedics.

Four adults and six children were then taken to hospital complaining of breathing difficulties.

Hazmat crews were brought in to assess the situation, with Fire and Rescue NSW superintendent Adam Dewberry explaining the chaos had been caused by two chemicals, used for pool chlorination and pool cleaning, that had been mixed accidentally.

“They have caused a toxic and nasty vapour,” he told 2GB.

Footage from the scene showed emergency responders entering the building dressed in full hazmat safety equipment.

Inside, firefighters worked to dilute the toxic chemical mix, believed to be sodium hypochlorite and hydrochloric acid.

The pool has since been declared safe.