WASHINGTON — The National Zoo and fire officials are looking into an apparent chlorine accident along its outdoor American Trail exhibit Thursday morning that created a “loud boom,” but caused no fire.
“There was an incident related to chlorine on American Trail, near the otters and beavers,” said zoo spokeswoman Devin Murphy. “There was a loud boom. No fire. No smoke.”
“No humans were hurt,” she said. “No animals were hurt. We cleared the area and D.C. fire is on scene and they’re investigating.”
Another spokeswoman, Pamela Baker-Masson, said the incident happened at 10:55 a.m. inside a small building that houses machinery that supports the beaver and otter exhibits. Chlorine is used in the water filtration system for the exhibits, she said.
A contract employee was inside the building. He smelled chlorine, and left. Then there was the boom. The fire department was summoned. Baker-Masson said she did know what work the contractor was doing in the building.
There was no gas, she said. The worker was examined by medics. “He is fine,” she said. As of noon, the area was still closed off, even to zoo keepers.
American Trail winds among wolves, otters, beavers and other North American animals.
Timothy J. Wilson, spokesman for the D.C. fire department, said officials suspect the accident may have stemmed from the improper mixing of chemicals.
(c) 2016, The Washington Post · Michael E. Ruane – Staff writer Peter Hermann contributed to this story
