16 Hospitalized After Mass Casualty Incident At MA Business

HUDSON, MA — Sixteen people were hospitalized Thursday morning after employees at an industrial business reported dizziness, eye irritation and other symptoms, fire officials said.

The Hudson Fire Department responded to the Parmenter Road business at 8:47 a.m. Thursday after employees activated a fire alarm pull station. Crews declared a mass casualty incident and requested multiple ambulances after finding numerous employees reporting illnesses.

Eight ambulances transported 16 patients to three area hospitals. Officials did not provide information about their conditions.

Firefighters entered the building to conduct atmospheric monitoring and believe a chemical process contributed to the illnesses. Fire Chief Jamie Desautels requested assistance from a state hazardous materials team equipped with specialized training, meters and other equipment.

The Massachusetts Department of Fire Services Special Operations team also delivered a rehabilitation unit to support firefighters working in the heat.

Marlborough firefighters provided mutual aid at the scene. Stow firefighters responded to a separate medical emergency in Hudson while Maynard and Berlin crews covered the town’s fire stations.

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