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Chlorine leak near BC is fixed

E-mail|Link|Comments () May 18, 2010 03:33 PM

By Globe Staff

A chlorine leak in a truck near Boston College has been contained, the Boston Fire Department said.

Spokesman Steve MacDonald said an entry team of firefighters found one of the chlorine cyclinders was leaking on the box truck. "They fixed the leak and ventilated the vehicle," MacDonald said.

He said people were being allowed back on the college's campus, where two buildings had been evacuated, and Beacon Street is being reopened in the area.

The truck for Airgas, a company that distributes industrial and medical gases, had delivered 10 chlorine tanks to the Dedham Water Department, had and was on its way to deliver gases to the college when the driver noticed there might be residual chlorine leaking from an empty cylinder on board the truck, authorities said.

"The driver noticed a possible leak, pulled over about 12:15 p.m. and notified the fire department," MacDonald said.

Officials declared a Level 3 Hazmat situation, shutting down a section of Beacon Street from the Chestnut Hill Reservoir to College Road in Newton.

No injuries were reported.

Boston College spokesman Jack Dunn said the Merkert Chemistry Building and Campion Hall, which houses the Lynch School of Education, had been evacuated. He said that classes at the college were already over and today was the last day of exams so there were few students around.

"Most students have already gone home for the end of semester," he said.

MacDonald said the truck had picked up eight empty chlorine cylinders at the Dedham Water Department. It was also carrying propane and hydrogen gas in separate tanks inside the vehicle, he said.

"We're cooperating obviously," said Airgas spokesman Jay Worley.