19 treated at hospital after chlorine gas forces evacuation of Chicago hotel

[SoleSurvivor]

19 treated at hospital after chlorine gas forces evacuation of suburban Chicago hotel

19 were treated at the hospital as police think that the powder was intentionally left

PUBLISHED : Monday, 08 December, 2014, 10:02pm
UPDATED : Monday, 08 December, 2014, 10:02pm

Associated Press in Rosemont

Thousands of people were evacuated after an chlorine gas leak at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare in Rosemont, Illinois hosting the 2014 Midwest FurFest convention. Photo: AP

Chlorine gas made several people sick and forced the evacuation of thousands of guests from a suburban Chicago hotel, including many who were dressed in cartoonish animal costumes for an annual furries convention who were ushered across the street to a convention centre hosting a dog show.

Nineteen people who became nauseous or dizzy were treated at local hospitals, and at least 18 were released shortly thereafter. Within hours, emergency workers decontaminated the Hyatt Regency O'Hare and allowed people back inside. Rabbits, foxes and dragons poured into the lobby, chatting and giving each other high paws.

"I think we'll recover from this," said Kit McCreedy, a 28-year-old from Madison, Wisconsin, his fox tail swinging behind him as he headed back inside for the last day of the Midwest FurFest. "People are tired but they're still full of energy."

The source of the gas was apparently chlorine powder left in a ninth-floor stairwell at the hotel, according to the Rosemont Public Safety Department. Investigators believe the gas was created intentionally and are treating it as a criminal matter.

McCreedy was one of a few thousand attendees for the Furfest, in which attendees celebrate animals that are anthropomorphic - meaning they've been given human characteristics - through art, literature and performance. Many of the attendees, who refer to themselves as "furries," wore cartoonish animal outfits.

While authorities conducted their investigation, organisers tried to assure the participants that the evacuation would not overshadow the convention. But attendees seemed to think the evacuation was part of the fun - particularly those who recalled being herded into the Donald E. Stephens Convention Centre as it was hosting a dog show.

"In walk all these people dressed like dogs and foxes," said Pieter Van Hiel, a 40-year-old technical writer from Canada.