a ‘gas attack’ in holts summit

A Holts Summit man and a police officer are sickened by chemical fumes in an apartment yesterday afternoon. The man became ill after apparently mixing household chemicals in the bath tub at the home on Spalding Road. An officer who came to investigate got sick as well. Both men were taken to CapitalRegion Medical Center.

Cole County’s HAZ-MAT team responded but the buildings weren’t evacuated. Investigators don’t think the man was trying to make any illegal drugs.

Mixing chemicals like common household bleach with ammonia or even vinegar can release chlorine gas.