Ararat emergency services responded to a potential hazardous chemical leak at Ararat Fitness Centre about 10 am on Thursday.
CFA District 16 commander Ian Morley said they received a call about a hazardous chemical smell coming from the pool facility.
“The incident was undetermined in the end. The fire brigade put some personnel in protective equipment and inspected the area,” he said.
“We checked out the area and couldn’t ascertain any actual leak, spill or exact location. It was either from a build-up of a chemical smell overnight or from the plant room.
“There were 20 persons evacuated, plus four staff members … all persons from the premise were taken over to the RSL and checked by Ambulance Victoria.
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“Six fire trucks and approximately 25 firefighters responded, along with police and ambulance personnel.
“There were no injuries as a result of the incident, although one person was taken to hospital with an unrelated medical condition – as a result it was not serious.”
Mr Morley said Ararat Rural City Council, who own the facility, would be investigating the incident further and seeking to get equipment checked.
The incident is now under control; however, the centre is closed until further notice.
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