Hopkins LA Fitness Pool Chemical Mishap Injures 2

HOPKINS, Minn. - Two pool maintenance workers were hospitalized Monday, one in critical condition, after a chemical mishap at LA Fitness in Hopkins, Minn.

Hopkins Police Sgt. Michael Glassberg said chlorine and hydrochloric acid were mixed together, releasing a toxic cloud of vapor inside the fitness club located at Highway 7 and Hopkins Crossroad.

"I know -- when inhaled -- they can cause significant injuries," said Glassberg of the gases.

The workers, ages 29 and 31, were with a private company that was contracted to do routine maintenance for the health club. No LA Fitness members or employees were injured or sickened.

The pool and locker room were evacuated, but reopened Monday afternoon.

By Monday evening, one of the workers had been treated and released from HCMC. The other was upgraded from critical to satisfactory condition.

Jim Koschmann is the operations manager at Peterson Pools and Spas in Minnetonka, which is located a few miles way from the fitness club. Though it wasn't his crew involved in the chemical mishap, he is all too familiar with the chemicals involved.

"I could see where it could happen," he said.

Koschmann is adamant that both are safe if properly stored and maintained, but said they can be extremely dangerous if spilled or mixed incorrectly.

"We handle them all the time, but you should never mixt he chemicals prior to putting them in the pool. Add chemicals one at a time. Dispense throughout the pool before adding the next one," he said.