Suspicious Activity Inside Mill Led To Hazmat Incident In Woonsocket On Monday Night

WOONSOCKET, RI — A hazmat situation in a mill building developed Monday night after first responders went to Priviledge Street to investigate suspicious activity. According to Deputy Fire Chief Christopher Oakland, police were called around 5:30 p.m. The initial investigation indicated a small fire was burning on the second floor where signs of vandalism were reported. Some chemicals also appeared to have been deliberately spilled.

Chief Oakland described the chemicals as "heavy duty cleaning solvent," which might have been mixed with something else. Not toxic when used as directed, they became dangerous because they had been spilled on the floor in an unventilated area.

When firefighters detected the chemicals and took readings, they saw the air quality was unsafe. Woonsocket Hazmat and North Providence Hazmat responded. The building was evacuated. The first responders who originally entered the building were taken to the hospital to be monitored. They were not injured and ultimately were released.

The Woonsocket fire marshal and the state fire marshal are still investigating.

Patch will update this story.

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