22 people left sick after ‘accidental chemical release’ at Goldfish Swim School, Park Ridge officials say

An accidental chemical release at a northwest suburban swim school Thursday afternoon left 22 people — including children — sick, local fire officials said.

At around 4:15 p.m., the Park Ridge Fire Department responded to Goldfish Swim School at 678 N. Northwest Highway after a mistake by an employee created a “chemical situation,” according to Park Ridge Fire executive officer Paul Lisowski.

The incident caused 22 people, among whom were parents, students and instructors, to be sick, Lisowski said. First responders transported five people, who also spanned minors and adults, from the swim school to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge for inhalation injuries and “general illness complaints,” per Lisowski. Another person left the scene, but later transported to a hospital from home after experiencing difficulty in breathing.

Goldfish Swim School, per its website, offers “indoor children’s swim lessons and programs for children ages 4 months and up.”

All injuries were non-life-threatening, Lisowski said.

There was no risk to the public as of Thursday night, authorities said. Lisowski said officials were confident the incident was an accident and that there was “nothing suspicious at all at this point.”

tkenny@chicagotribune.com

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/30/park-ridge-goldfish-swim-school-chemical-release/