FRANKENMUTH, Mich. (WWJ) -- Five people were taken to a hospital after a HAZMAT situation led to the evacuation of a popular Michigan attraction.
Around 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, in Frankenmuth, the Saginaw County HAZMAT Team was called to Zehnder's Splash Village, a waterpark hotel in Frankenmuth, after multiple people reported having trouble breathing.
Frankenmuth Fire Chief Phil Kerns said a "chemical release" in the water park atrium impacted nearly a dozen people.
"Those people complained of, you know, just some breathing issues, difficulty breathing," Kerns told WWJ Newsradio 950's Ryan Wrecker. "Five were sent to Saginaw Hospital for further evaluation and treatment. Up to 11 people total complained."
Kerns said the 11 included a combination of water park guests and workers; although a majority, he said, were guests.
While the investigation is ongoing, Kerns said it is believed a chemical feeding system malfunctioned, emitting a larger concentration of most likely chlorine vapors into the main water park area.
Later Tuesday afternoon. the 30,000-square-foot water park atrium was currently being ventilated with a combination of roof panels and ventilation systems, and the water flushed and replaced.
Meanwhile the separate family side of the splash park, as well as the hotel itself remain open, officials said.
Kerns said the HAZMAT team will be monitoring and testing the air quality, waiting until it's safe to re-open the atrium area.