ATTLEBORO, Mass. (WPRI) – A leaking 750-gallon tank of hydrochloric acid forced the evacuation of an Attleboro business.
Reports of the spill first came in around 5 a.m. Wednesday, bringing police, fire crews and state hazmat teams to the scene on Perry Avenue.
Engineered Material Solutions was reportedly evacuated, but the fire department said there was no immediate threat to other nearby homes and businesses.
“The members of the EMS corporation came in and they found a vapor cloud in their production area. It turns out the vapor cloud was secondary to a hydrochrolic acid release possibly mixed with some sodium hydroxide,” Deputy Fire Chief Dennis Perkins of the Attleboro Fire Department said. “The hydrochloric acid was what was producing the vapor — when it mixes with water it produces a vapor. It’s a toxic inhalant, that’s a very dangerous situation, but it’s under control now.”
The fire department said the scene was cleared around noon and no one was reported sick or injured from the spill.
The cause of the leak is under investigation, fire crews said.
