16 Hospitalized Due to 'Improperly Mixed Pool Chemicals' at Grand Opening of Texas’ Great Wolf Lodge

Mar. 15, 2025

Sixteen people were sent to the hospital after being exposed to “improperly mixed pool chemicals” at a Texas resort.

The incident occurred at Great Wolf Lodge’s grand opening in the town of Webster on Wednesday, Aug. 7, city officials confirmed ina post on social media.

A third-party contractor at the resort was responsible for the chemical mixing, which caused a hazardous reaction, according to the statement shared on Facebook. The chemical issue happened in an “isolated” building separate from the hotel and water park.

Five people evacuated the building, and 16 employees and contractors who were working in the affected area were transported to HCA Clear Lake Hospital and UTMB Hospital, after decontamination was completed.

Webster fire chief Dean Spencer toldtheHouston Chroniclethat the two “unlike” chemicals mixed were sodium hypochlorite and sulfuric acid. When mixed, those two chemicals can form a toxic chlorine gas, according to the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board.

“The Webster Fire Department isolated the tanks, monitored the area, and confirmed no chemicals were detected in the hotel or waterpark,” the authorities' statement added, noting that the situation was “quickly contained.”

The lodge is also working with an environmental company to clean the tanks properly.

Equipment for testing the quality of pool water and cleaning a pool.Getty

Getty

A representative for Great Wolf Lodge told PEOPLE on Thursday, Aug. 8, “The safety and wellbeing of our guests and pack members is always our primary focus.”

“We were informed yesterday afternoon that all those transported to the hospital were released following an incident at a building separate from our main indoor water park and resort. Safety is paramount,” the statement continued.

The spokesperson noted that the resort is adding additional safeguards for third-party pool chemical vendors and are assisting officials in their investigation.

Eugenia R. Washington/Getty

PEOPLE reached out to a representative for Rowland, but did not immediately hear back.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

According to theresort’s website,it encompasses 27 acres and includes both a 95,000-square-foot indoor water park and the 58,000-square-foot Great Wolf Adventure Park.

source: people.com