Victoria Fire Department Chief Dan Atkinson has just briefed reporters. He said a 911 call came in just before noon, and upon arrival it was determined victims had suffered a “chemical exposure.”

“Staff originally reported a noxious smell in the air resulting in discomfort in nose, mouth and upper respiratory tract … We determined very quickly a combination of chemicals had produced a chlorine exposure, chlorine gas,” he said.

“It can feel very gritty when breathing and induce coughing and things of that nature.”