16 Hospitalized Due to 'Improperly Mixed Pool Chemicals' at Grand Opening of Texas’ Great Wolf Lodge

Officials confirmed the situation was caused by "improperly mixed pool chemicals," sodium hypochlorite and sulfuric acid

Sixteen people were sent to the hospital after being exposed to “improperly mixed pool chemicals” at a Texas resort.

The incident occurred at Great Wolf Lodge’s grand opening in the town of Webster on Wednesday, Aug. 7, city officials confirmed in a post on social media.

A third-party contractor at the resort was responsible for the chemical mixing, which caused a hazardous reaction, according to the statement shared on Facebook. The chemical issue happened in an “isolated” building separate from the hotel and water park.

Five people evacuated the building, and 16 employees and contractors who were working in the affected area were transported to HCA Clear Lake Hospital and UTMB Hospital, after decontamination was completed.

Webster fire chief Dean Spencer told the Houston Chronicle that the two "unlike" chemicals mixed were sodium hypochlorite and sulfuric acid. When mixed, those two chemicals can form a toxic chlorine gas, according to the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board.

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“The Webster Fire Department isolated the tanks, monitored the area, and confirmed no chemicals were detected in the hotel or waterpark,” the authorities' statement added, noting that the situation was “quickly contained.”

The lodge is also working with an environmental company to clean the tanks properly.

A representative for Great Wolf Lodge told PEOPLE on Thursday, Aug. 8, “The safety and wellbeing of our guests and pack members is always our primary focus.”

“We were informed yesterday afternoon that all those transported to the hospital were released following an incident at a building separate from our main indoor water park and resort. Safety is paramount,” the statement continued.

The spokesperson noted that the resort is adding additional safeguards for third-party pool chemical vendors and are assisting officials in their investigation.

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Great Wolf Lodge’s grand opening was attended by Kelly Rowland, who told Fox 26 she was excited to bring her two kids, 9-year-old Titan and 3-year-old Noah, to the water park.

“It’s been amazing. I’ve just enjoyed watching them be kids and have a good time and smile, and made memories,” said the Houston native, who was not impacted by the chemical situation.

PEOPLE reached out to a representative for Rowland, but did not immediately hear back.

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According to the resort’s website, it encompasses 27 acres and includes both a 95,000-square-foot indoor water park and the 58,000-square-foot Great Wolf Adventure Park.

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