2 Hospitalized After Chemical Spill At Barnstable Nursing Home

BARNSTABLE, MA — Two nursing home employees were hospitalized following a chemical spill at nursing home in Centerville. Fire officials said cleaning chemicals spilled and mixed together at Cape Regency Rehabilitation & Health Care Center causing a noxious odor that required the hospitalizations and 18 staff and residents to be evaluated at the scene.

Just before 3 p.m., firefighters and a state hazmat crew were called to the nursing home at 120 South Main St. Employees told fire officials the odor was coming from a closed utility closet on the second floor. Several staff members that came in contact with the closet felt sick, according to fire officials.

Four ambulances were called, the area where the odor started was isolated and residents were evacuated to unaffected areas of the building. No one had to be evacuated from the nursing home.

Hazmat officials said the odor was caused by a the combination of spilled cleaning chemicals. The chemicals were tested and determined to not be dangerous. The area was ventilated prior to staff and residents returning to the affected part of the building.