Gas exposure at pool linked with mixing chemicals

All eight people taken to hospital Friday after two chemicals combined to create chlorine gas in a Victoria recreation facility have been released, as the investigation into the exposure continues.

Colleen Mycroft, the city's intergovernmental and media relations manager, says WorkSafeBC staff are continuing their search for the cause of the incident at Crystal Pool and Fitness Centre.

B.C.'s Ministry of Environment and Parks says the hazardous gas formed from the mixing of pool chemicals -- approximately 20 litres of 12-per-cent chlorine with 20 litres of hydrochloric acid.

That resulted in the release of chlorine gas, but the statement does not say how the chemicals were mixed.

Mycroft says close to 90 patrons and 13 staff were at the facility when the chemical exposure happened, prompting its evacuation and a shelter-in-place order for the surrounding area, which was later lifted.

Mycroft says the facility is now safe to enter, but will remain closed until Tuesday morning as city staff work with WorkSafeBC to prepare for the reopening at 5:30 a.m.

A HAZMAT response crew vented the facility after the gas release to reduce residual fumes and the crew secured the chemicals in an overpack drum, the environment ministry's statement said.

It said a HAZMAT disposal company was then retained to depose of the chemicals at an approved waste disposal facility. Officers from the Ministry of Environment were on-scene to support local responders and for regulatory oversight, the statement said.

Crystal Pool is Victoria's only public pool, and a referendum last February approved plans to borrow almost $170 million to replace the facility, which is more than 50 years old and scheduled to close this fall.

Mycroft said Friday's incident was not related to the age of the facility, and noted it was the first of its kind there in 25 years that required the response of the fire department.

B.C. Emergency Health Services said in a statement Friday they were called to the facility at around 11 a.m., and transported eight patients to hospital in stable condition after assessing 10 patients.

Island Health temporarily cleared the emergency rooms at two local hospitals to prepare for the arrival of patients among other steps, but did not initiate a Code Orange, which is used for a disaster or mass-casualty event.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 11, 2026.

By Wolfgang Depner | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.