Chemical mix sparks morning evacuation

By Times staff writer

© St. Petersburg Times, published November 30, 2000

SPRING HILL -- About 120 people had to be evacuated from a bowling alley Wednesday when a janitor mixed cleaning fluids and created a potentially deadly concoction. No one was seriously injured, however, at Spring Hill Lanes, 8447 Commercial Way, and the lanes reopened before lunch. Officials arrived at the alley at 9:30 a.m. after receiving a complaint that a 77-year-old woman was feeling short of breath and had a burning sensation in her throat, said Lt. Alan Regis of Spring Hill Fire Rescue. Once authorities arrived, they noticed a strange smell, and the business manager said a janitor cleaning the women's restrooms had mistakenly mixed bleach and an industrial-strength drain cleaner, creating chlorine gas. Officials then evacuated the building and vented it with electric fans.

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