Accidental chlorine mixture causes explosion

-- Greg Risling

NEWPORT BEACH -- A pool repairman escaped injury Monday afternoon after

he accidentally mixed two types of chlorine that produced a violent

explosion at a Newport Crest apartment complex.

The incident occurred at about 12:30 p.m. at a community pool on the

first block of Seascape Drive. The blast reportedly startled several

residents who live in the complex.

Authorities said the 25-year-old pool cleaner had added liquid chlorine

to a dried-up version that had accumulated in a drain basin in the pool’s

equipment room. The mixture of chemicals caused some bubbling that

frightened the repairman, who then ran away from the scene. Within

moments, the deadly combination exploded, blowing out a window and

tearing up a section of drywall.

“It’s not unusual for two types of chlorine to explode when they are

mixed like this,” said Lt. John Blauer, community relations officer for

the Newport Beach Fire and Marine Department. “When he saw the bubbling,

he knew something was up.”

The man wasn’t injured but complained that his ears were ringing from the

blast.

“It was a pretty good size explosion,” Blauer said. “It was confined to

the equipment room, but it definitely could have done more damage.”