Plainville

Crews Respond to Hazmat Situation in Plainville, Mass.

Around 200 people were evacuated because of a large refrigerant leak

NBC10 Boston

Emergency crews have responded to a hazmat situation at an industrial plant in Plainville, a police department spokesperson confirmed Wednesday.

Around 200 people were evacuated from the Thermo Fisher Scientific building at 5 Commerce Blvd around 1:20 p.m. because of a large refrigerant leak, officials said. No one was hurt.

The State Hazardous Materials Emergency Response division was called in, along with the State Fire Marshal's office, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Approximately 2,000 pounds of liquid refrigerant spilled, a spokesperson said. While the exact cause and origin are under investigation, responders believe it happened when a refrigerant system that was being installed was activated and a frozen pipe cracked. The building is under construction.

There is no immediate threat to the public, but people are asked to avoid the area while crews work to clear the leak.

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