Chlorine leak at The Villages prompts shelter-in-place warning for over 3 hours

Chlorine leak in The Villages prompts shelter-in-place warning

Residents in The Villages were advised to shelter in place Thursday evening after a chlorine leak was reported at the Turtle Mound Golf Course. Authorities said the leak originated from a maintenance shed around 7 p.m., prompting Fire and EMS and the Villages Public Safety Department to respond.

SUMTER COUNTY, Fla. - Residents in The Villages were advised to shelter in place Thursday evening after a chlorine leak was reported at the Turtle Mound Golf Course. 

Authorities said the leak originated from a maintenance shed around 7 p.m.

Local perspective:

The leak prompted the Sumter County Sheriff's Office, Fire and EMS, and the Villages Public Safety Department to respond to Buena Vista Boulevard and Turtle Mound Path.

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Officials instructed residents to go indoors, lock doors and windows, and turn off their air conditioning and ventilation systems until the area was deemed safe. 

The alert was lifted later Thursday night, and no injuries have been reported.

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According to the National Institutes of Health, inhaling chlorine in small amounts can cause nasal and eye irritation, sore throat, and coughing, while higher exposure can lead to chemical burns, fluid in the lungs, or death. Authorities confirmed the leak no longer poses a threat.