Cyanide exposure sends 37 to hospital

HOPKINTON, R.I. (WPRI) - A fire at an elderly and disabled housing complex in Hopkinton Monday sent 31 people, most of them firefighters, to area hospitals.Officials say a plastic radio left in an oven was to blame.

Dozens of firefighters along with over 40 rescue vehicles from across Rhode Island responded to Canochet Cliffs on Main Street Monday night.

Authorities say there were high levels of hydrogen cyanide inside the building, and that the first firefighters that went in were not wearing proper equipment.

Chief Frederic Stanley, from the Hope Valley Fire District says, " They has a high level of Hydrogen Cyanide and when it got to high levels it put a danger in to say, lets send these guys down and get them checked out."

Firefighters tell Eyewitness News a plastic radio inside an oven on the first floor caused the fire and the dangerous smoke. Chief Stanley says the elderly tenant forgot the radio was inside when she turned the oven on.

8 residents, 3 EMTs and 20 firefighters were taken to four hospitals. Officials say 30 had been treated and released by late Monday night. One firefighter was kept overnight for observation. All residents at Canochet Cliffs were allowed back into the building.