Crews Respond To Report Of Explosion At National Zoo

WASHINGTON (AP/KDKA) - Fire department officials are investigating a report of an explosion at the National Zoo, but a zoo official says no people or animals were injured.

Zoo spokeswoman Pamela Baker-Masson says a contractor working in a mechanical area next to the beaver and otter exhibits smelled chlorine and left the area Thursday morning. He later heard a bang. She says chlorine is kept in that area for water filtration.

Fire and EMS Department spokesman Timothy Wilson says crews responded to an initial report of a chlorine explosion, but no injuries have been reported. He says crews are trying to determine the cause.

By American Trail area at #NationalZoo where "incident" happened w/chlorine. No guests/animals hurt @wusa9 pic.twitter.com/ld2GHfqK0M

— Debra Alfarone (@DebraAlfarone) March 17, 2016

An alarm was sounding and the smell of chlorine hung in the air near a roped-off area along the American Trail early Thursday afternoon.

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