Charters Towers swimmers evacuated after hydrochloric acid fumes spotted days after emergency repairs on pool

Problems are continuing to flow for a North Queensland pool that had to be evacuated after chemical fumes were spotted pluming from a shed, just days after the facility had been shut for emergency repairs.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services.

Problems are continuing to flow for a North Queensland pool that had to be evacuated after chemical fumes were spotted pluming from a shed, less than a month after the facility had been shut for emergency repairs.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services crews were initially called at 7.05am on Saturday to reports of a shed fire at the swimming pool on Plummer St, Charters Towers.

But after arriving at the scene, crews quickly identified that the “smoke” was actually fumes from a chemical spill in the shed.

A QFES spokeswoman confirmed the chemical was hydrochloric acid.

The crews left the scene some hours later, with the QFES spokeswoman confirming a Charters Towers council representative had been called.

A 'shed fire' on Plummer St, Charters Towers, turned out to be a chemical pump malfunction, expelling hydrochloric acid fumes.

“There was a pump malfunctioning – it was pumping acid and producing fumes,” the spokeswoman said.

“The fumes were significant, about two the three metres from the building.”

Three units, including two pumps and a ute were on the scene containing the situation as it unfolded.

Two people, who had been swimming at the time emergency services arrived on the scene, were evacuated from the pool.

A Queensland Ambulance spokeswoman said nobody had required treatment, but that a unit had remained on standby.

Police were also called to the scene alongside fireys and paramedics “just in case”, according to a Queensland Police spokesman.

This is not the first time in recent months that the pool on Plummer St has experienced troubles.

Charters Towers Amateur Swimming Club members hit the pool.

On November 24, Charters Towers Regional Council (CTRC) shut down the 25m heated pool for emergency maintenance work, leaving only the 50m pool for use.

Repairs were expected to be completed by December 30.

The council in 2021 obtained $7.8m to demolish and replace the 51-year-old Kennedy Regiment Memorial Pool with a new 50m solar heated public pool – and upgrades to the pool’s amenities.

The new pool – which is still in the planning stages – will also have an accessibility ramp, an accessible wet play area and toddlers’ pool, among more upgrades and refurbishments to the precinct.

There were no planned works for the heated indoor 25m pool as part of the project.

Meanwhile, the brand-new water park – the first in the town’s history – was in early November reported to be weeks away from opening in the New Year.

The state government initially put forward $4.2m toward the project.

The $7.85m Water St water park’s opening was delayed past Christmas, after supply and labour shortages slowed construction past the original mid-2022 opening.

CTRC was contacted for comment but no response was provided.

Originally published as Charters Towers swimmers evacuated after hydrochloric acid fumes spotted days after emergency repairs on pool