Paramedics treat 18 children, evacuate 52 people in hazmat situation at Riverside pool

Paramedics evaluated 18 children during a hazmat situation at a Riverside pool Wednesday afternoon.

They responded to the Ysmael Villegas Community Center Pool at 2:26 p.m. for a report of a child feeling sick and found multiple children complaining of symptoms such as lightheadedness, nausea and throat burning, according to the Riverside Fire Department. The pool was evacuated, with 52 people removed from the area and into a nearby community center, the department said in a news release.

Four of the 18 injured children were taken by ambulance to local hospitals. 

Officers were still tending to those injured at 3:30 p.m., when fire officials described it as a possible case of chlorine and acid exposure at Villegas Park. At the time, police estimated the number of injured people to be between 20 and 25.

Three people taken to the hospital all experienced minor coughing and wheezing. Others were evaluated at the scene and released. Investigators were still trying to figure out what happened, but the leading theory from the fire department that afternoon was that some chlorine did not mix properly before entering the pool. 

But hours later, the department released a statement saying authorities were still investigating what caused the hazmat situation.

"Riverside Parks Department maintenance personnel worked with the Riverside Fire Haz Mat team to identify what was causing the symptoms," the statement reads. "Crews utilized advanced air and water monitoring devices, but all levels were within normal limits. The incident remains under investigation."

No firefighters or park staff were injured. All the children were reunited with their parents or guardians, authorities said.