3 Hurt in Chemical Spill and Fire That Closes 8-Block Area
Three people were injured and an eight-block area was closed to traffic for more than three hours by a fire and chemical spill at a pool supply store Monday afternoon, a Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman said.
The injured, who suffered respiratory problems from inhaling chemical fumes, included two firefighters who were called to battle the 12:11 p.m. blaze at Swim-Mor Pool and Spa, 9748 Cozycroft Ave., and a female store employee.
They were apparently exposed to two chemicals commonly used in treating swimming pools, said Brian Humphrey, a Fire Department spokesman. An 80-gallon drum of muriatic acid and a 20-gallon container of sodium hypochlorite were later found to be leaking, he said.
The firefighters and the woman were treated at Northridge Hospital Medical Center and released, Humphrey said.
Although 90 firefighters were able to extinguish the fire in less than 15 minutes, police blocked the streets between Mason and Lurline avenues and Lassen and Plummer streets throughout the afternoon as a precaution.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
