NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Thirteen patrons and staff of the YMCA suffered respiratory issues, tearing, and vomiting as a result of mixing of Hydrochloric Acid and Chlorine at the New Rochelle YMCA at 50 Weyman Avenue. The combination of the pool supply chemicals resulted in off-gassing which sent patrons and staff running from the building.
New Rochelle Police and Fire Departments were called at 7:14 a.m. on September 20th, 2021.
The New Rochelle Police Department declared a Mass Casualty Incident and requested five ambulances to the New Rochelle YMCA on Weyman Avenue.
New Rochelle Fire Department units — NRFD Station 2 members, as well as Engines 24, 21 and Tower Ladder 11 — responded to the scene (Westchester County HazMat/Special Operations Squad 2), and Squad 2 Departments from Larchmont and Pelham Manor.
The New York City Fire Department set up for Decontamination of patients from the New Rochelle YMCA and Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx.
New Rochelle EMS transported 3 people to White Plains Hospital, two on Advance Life Support, 1 on Basic Life Support. The Larchmont Volunteer Ambulance Corps and Eastchester Volunteer Ambulance Corps transported 4 people with Advanced Life Support to Jacobi with one person is in severe respiratory distress.
First responders ensured the building was evacuated and searched, removed product, then ventilated to bring meter readings back to zero.
The New Rochelle Police Department issued a statement the incident was accidental and not criminal in nature.
Tony Aiello of CBS2 interviewed witnesses and victims here.
Photo Credit: Domenic Giuseppe Ramacciato (Downtown Dom) via New Rochelle Fire Department.
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