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Eleven children were taken to hospital Sunday morning after becoming ill at the pool at the Canmore Inn and Suites, according to Emergency Health Services.
The Town of Canmore says Canmore Fire-Rescue received a hazmat call at 10:44 a.m.
When crews arrived, they found about 30 children in the pool area showing symptoms of illness, including vomiting.
Firefighters suspected chemical exposure and cleared the pool area .
Fire crews tested the air and found elevated levels of a hazardous substance.
Based on the location and the symptoms, the town says crews suspected chlorine was the cause.
EHS says nine children were assessed at the scene and taken to Canmore General Hospital by their parents, while one child was transported there by ambulance.
In total, 11 children were assessed at the hospital. Ten were in stable, non-life-threatening condition.
One child was later transferred to the Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary in serious but stable condition.
The town says fire crews traced the problem to the pool and a mechanical room, cordoned off the area, and ventilated the space to clear the air.
Air testing showed the hotel was safe before crews left, according to the town.
The town also says the hotel called in an independent contractor, who found no immediate danger after ventilation of the pool area.
In a statement, the hotel says it takes this matter “extremely seriously.”
Hotel staff contacted emergency services and Alberta Health as soon as the incident became known Sunday, the hotel says, and it is fully co-operating with authorities on the matter.
“We understand how upsetting this situation has been and are committed to providing our full support to those impacted,” the hotel said.
It also says the licensed chemical management company that operates the pool is reviewing what happened.
