Burlington YMCA evacuated after chemical spill

A leak of potentially dangerous chemicals Friday morning prompted the evacuation of the YMCA in downtown Burlington, according to Burlington Fire Department officials.

Burlington Deputy Fire Chief Aaron Collette identified the material as hydrochloric acid, and said the building's occupants had been moved to the Y Annex in the old Ethan Allen Club building on College Street.

The building's occupants included members of the YMCA's fitness club and children who attended daycare there, as well as staff. All were safe and warm, Collette said.

Temperatures hovered close to zero downtown Friday morning.

A facilities worker noticed the leak around 8 a.m. while doing morning rounds, said YMCA spokesman Doug Bishop. The worker found the pool of chemicals in a pump maintenance room. Only maintenance staff has access to the room, Bishop said.

They evacuated the building as a precaution and called the Fire Department, who were able to contain the acid, Collette confirmed.

"“The Y will be contracting someone to clean up the chemical," Bishop said.

Concentrated fumes or skin contact with hydrochloric acid pose severe health hazards.

The acid is commonly used to regulate the chemistry of water in swimming pools.

The building is being vented and the Y is closed for the rest of the day, Bishop said. They hope to reopen tomorrow.

This story was first posted online on Dec. 16, 2016, and will be updated.

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