FAIRPORT HARBOR, Ohio — Several workers were taken to the hospital following a hazmat situation in Fairport Harbor Thursday morning.
Fire Chief Bob Lloyd says his crews were called to St. Clair Street just after 10:15 a.m. for a report of a possible chemical leak. Employees for a water line project had been digging near an unknown abandoned line when around four or five of them noticed a strange smell and began to feel sick.
The exposed workers were transported from the scene but have since been treated and released. Lloyd stressed this was not an explosion or fire, and that samples were taken from the scene for further testing.
It took roughly six hours for the Fairport Harbor Fire Department to clear the area. St. Clair Street will remain closed indefinitely.
The exact source of the odor is still unknown. The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency will lead the investigation into the incident, with assistance from the Fairport Harbor and Painesville Township fire departments as well as the Lake County Hazardous Intervention Team and Lake County General Health District.
The Ohio EPA released the following statement to 3News on Friday:
While installing a water line near the Diamond Shamrock property, Fairport Harbor city employees accidentally hit an old, capped industrial pipe, releasing an unknown material that has a strong chloride odor. There was a small amount of residual liquid material in the pipe, which has been contained and will be lawfully disposed.
Ohio EPA's emergency response (ER) team has found that the material is from the Diamond Shamrock site and that material is currently being analyzed to determine what it is.
Ohio EPA's ER team is working closely with all parties to ensure no additional liquids leach into the hole and to remove and lawfully dispose of contaminated soils. Once this is complete, the ER team will use soil to avoid further exposure to the material as the city finishes installing the water line.
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