A summer afternoon at a local pool took a dangerous turn Friday evening when a chemical mix-up led to a hazardous materials response and left 10 children struggling to breathe.

According to a social media post by the City of Orange Beach Fire Department, just before 4 p.m. on June 20, emergency crews were dispatched to Phoenix by the Bay after reports of a chemical release in the outdoor pool area. Responders arrived at the 27000 block of Canal Road to find frantic parents with children experiencing respiratory issues.

The incident was caused by the accidental combination of chlorine tablets with muriatic acid, which created a caustic vapor that spread around the pool area. Orange Beach firefighters quickly assessed and treated 10 children who were showing minor symptoms of chemical exposure.

None of the affected children required hospitalization, as all guardians refused ambulance transport after on-site treatment.

Orange Beach Fire & Rescue was assisted by Gulf Shores Fire Rescue, Orange Beach Police Department and Medstar EMS in managing the emergency.