Fire Department, DEEP, Tackle Danbury Lab HAZMAT Scare

DANBURY, CT — A HAZMAT scare scrambled a Danbury Fire Department crew to Wooster Heights Road Wednesday morning.

At around 9:30 a.m., a business reported to the 911 center that a hydrogen chloride alarm had tripped inside one of its labs. Employees at the lab utilize the chemical as part of their regular workday.

The 911 call prompted a full hazardous material response from the department, including a technician-level HAZMAT team, and assistance from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

Upon its arrival, the DFD's HAZMAT team coordinated with facility experts to develop an entry plan and ensure there was no immediate hazard to other workers in the facility or the public, according to Capt. Kevin Lunnie. Once a plan was developed, the team entered the lab, found a small leak in a tank, and repaired it.

There were no injuries or exposures to staff or responders, no release of hazardous materials outside the lab, and there is no hazard to the public, Lunnie reported.

Crews operated on the scene for approximately 90 minutes, according to fire officials.