An "intentional" chlorine gas leak at a Hyatt hotel in Illinois caused the evacuation of thousands of people, some dressed as animal characters, and sent 19 to the hospital on Sunday, the Chicago Tribune reported.
First responders came to look into reports of a foul odor that was wafting throughout the ninth floor, and a high-level chlorine was detected in the air, according to a statement from the Rosemont Public Safety Department.
The most common effects were dizziness and nausea, which sent 19 people to nearby hospitals. Everyone inside the hotel was temporarily evacuated and remained at facilities in the surrounding area until the Hyatt was cleared. Some attendees stood outside the building in animal costumes.
The leak is suspected to be intentional, and police are investigating it as a crime, Chicago CBS reported.
What was disrupted was an annual convention called Midwest FurFest, which brings fans of the literature, art and performances of anthropomorphic animals. The event draws thousands of people each year, according to its website.
Since the leak was an "unforeseen criminal act," the FurFest organizers nor the hotel will be giving refunds.
At first, convention-goers didn't take the incident seriously, especially if they had attended FurFest before.
"A lot of people thought this was just someone pulling the fire alarm," said Thomas Zell, 27, adding that it is somewhat common for someone to set off the alarm at events like FurFest.
"But it was serious this time," Zell said.
