Hydrogen Cyanide Leads To Hazmat Response In Chelsea

CHELSEA, MA – Emergency crews responded to a hazmat incident at the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority in Chelsea Tuesday morning. The incident was reported at 340 Marginal Street after the Chelsea Fire Department detected levels of hydrogen cyanide, a poisonous and flammable chemical.

Power in the building was shut down. The facility is undergoing renovations and was not staffed, a spokesperson for the MWRA told reporters.

One first responder was taken away from the scene in an ambulance. He was conscious and suffering from fatigue and stress, according to Boston 25.

On Monday night, a gas meter alarm went off at the building but was considered to be a false alarm. Early Tuesday morning, firefighters returned to the scene when the alarm lights were still flashing, according to reports. A Boston hazmat team was called in to respond after air quality readings detected hydrogen cyanide.

Traffic was rerouted away from 340 Marginal Street. Drivers are asked to seek alternate routes.

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