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| Image via ABC7 |
As of this writing, a few seem to have been released. Not sure if they all have or not, but hoping that they're all safe and sound. If anyone knows, please let us know in the comments!
Since then it's been deemed by the local police that this looks like an intentional act and not something that was done by accident. Further credence is lent to this as it has been stated that hotel does not have a pool or any other such facility that would require the presence of chlorine (in any form) to be on site.
The folks at Midwest Furfest released a statement at 11:25 this morning regarding the events that took place and just what happened:
At around 12:45 AM on Sunday, December 7, the Hyatt Regency O’Hare received a complaint of a chemical odor on the ninth floor. Following a 9-1-1 call, first responders determined that a container with a chlorine-containing chemical was broken there. At 1:10 AM the entire hotel was evacuated, first across Bryn Mawr Ave. in front of the Hyatt as per Rosemont Fire Department’s standard procedures, then when it became apparent that the wait would take longer the Stephens Convention Center was opened to provide warmth and shelter to our guests. A full HazMat response was called in at that time.
In the course of investigating the scene, the Rosemont Police Department determined that this was a criminal act and began investigating it as such. This delayed allowing our guests back into the hotel. Midwest FurFest is deeply thankful for the cooperation and patience shown during this time, and please know that everyone was working to get you back into the hotel as quickly as possible. At 4:21 AM the all-clear was given and we worked with the Hyatt staff to return all of our guests to the hotel in the quickest and safest manner possible.
Rosemont Public Safety has reported that nineteen people who complained of nausea and dizziness were transported to local hospitals. Because they were transported after the hotel (including Hyatt staff) was evacuated, we do not have any identification of these individuals. We have been informed by the Hyatt Regency O’Hare that some of those individuals have been released as of this morning.
As we wake up today we want to continue to provide the best possible convention that we can, despite the trying circumstances. The convention will be running on a full normal programming schedule today. We ask you to continue to be patient, and remember that the volunteers who make Midwest FurFest happen intend to give 110% to make sure that the fun, friendship, and good times of Midwest FurFest 2014 overshadow last night’s unfortunate incident.Thankfully it seems that no one was too seriously injured in this blatant attack. Right now it's hard to think of who would do such a thing or what their motives could've been. It's possible they weren't even going after those at MFF, but seems a little too coincidental there. We'll just have to sit tight and wait to see how the official investigation goes. Regardless, it's troubling to think that any fandom could be targeted like this, from the inside or outside, if that's the case.
To dispel rumors: Because this was an unforeseen possibly criminal act, Midwest FurFest will not be offering refunds, nor will the Hyatt Regency O’Hare be comping any rooms. Any further questions should be referred to info@furfest.org.
This shit is not cool no matter how you slice it and the fact that on many other sites, there are people cracking jokes about this is disgusting. That said, I have seen a lot of people rallying a bit behind the Furry fandom as well, they may not get us and that's totally cool, but at least some people out there realize that no one deserves this level of attack or hate brought upon them for just having a good time.
Update 12:22am 12/8/14: Changed Headline, from "Chlorine Attack" to Chlorine Gas.
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