AMHERST — A dangerous set of chemicals mixed in a clogged toilet at an Amherst home Saturday prompted a response from the regional hazardous materials team and left three people temporarily hospitalized, according to Fire Chief Walter “Tim” Nelson.
Authorities said firefighters responded to a home on Hedgerow Lane after a resident reported at about 11:45 p.m. that she had dropped a bar of soap into the toilet, clogging the device.
She then put what is believed to be both Liquid-Plumr and Green Gobbler, an eco-friendly cleaner, into the bowl, Nelson said. Doing so caused two people to be overcome with chlorine gas, suffering from coughing and vomiting, he said.
The trio recovered, officials said.
Nelson said the residents realized the fumes were coming from the toilet, opened the windows and evacuated.
“It could have been a lot worse,” Nelson said.
Nelson recommended following directions on the labels of potent chemicals. Doing so can prevent similar incidents. Certain substances should not be mixed, he said.
“Folks need to be careful when using household chemicals,” Nelson said. “There are some that can’t mix. It’s critical people read directions.”
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.