Maggot-Killing Plot Turns Toxic After Household Cleaners Combine
Madison, WI
Firefighters responded to an east side home Tuesday after cleaning chemicals were mixed with vinegar, resulting in the formation of chlorine gas.
As Engine Company 13 arrived, one resident advised they’d found some maggots around their garbage and dumped about a half-gallon of bleach onto them to try to kill them. They then dumped vinegar on that area, which produced a strong chlorine odor that caused some irritation and discomfort for one member of the household. Nobody was seriously injured, however, and all parties turned down emergency medical care.
The Madison Fire Department’s Hazardous Incident Team was consulted, and they advised the occupants it was still safe to stay in their home. The garage, where the chemical mixture took place, would need to be ventilated and flushed with copious amounts of water.
Engine Company 13 pulled its bumper line and flushed the concrete floor with about 250 gallons of water. Firefighters used air monitors to confirm the atmosphere was safe when flushing efforts were complete.