Congress Street Building Evacuated In Boston's Financial District

BOSTON, MA — Three firefighters and two civilians had to go to the hospital after a level 3 hazmat situation prompted the evacuation of a 12 story building on Congress Street in Boston's Financial District.

The Boston Fire Commissioner told reporters Wednesday afternoon that the fire extinguishing system was activated in computer room on fifth floor, depleting oxygen there. No one was working in the office at time, but three firefighters were transported to the hospital complaining of dizziness. Fire officials earlier said two occupants of the building were also taken to the hospital for evaluation.

Fire officials said they were called to the Congress Street around 12:45 p.m. for some sort of chemical release. The occupants at that building were evacuated and a hazmat team set to investigating what happened at the 12 story building at the corner of High Street and Congress.

Hazmat technicians didn't find any readings in building, according to fire officials, but firefighters were being decontaminated as a precaution. Investigators were still on the scene working to figure out what triggered the fire suppression to activate in the first place, Wednesday evening.

The Financial District, which isn't exactly an easy place to drive, was not a happy place for drivers, as crews worked to figure out and then clean up the mess.

Fire officials define a Level 3 hazmat incident as having at least one of the following three key components:

- Materials or conditions which require the use of the chemical protective clothing,
- The evacuation of areas and buildings adjacent to the chemical emergency
- Extreme conditions necessitating additional equipment and specially trained personnel.

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Photos courtesy Boston Firefighters.