4 in hospital, plant shut down after chemical released at recycle plant
Posted October 6, 2017 5:29 am.
Last Updated October 6, 2017 5:15 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Four people were sent to hospital after a hazmat issue at a fibre recycling plant.
Emergency crews were called to Arrow Road, in the Sheppard Avenue West and Highway 400 area, just after midnight Friday, for reports that some sort of chemical powder was released inside the building.
“We immediately isolated the situation [and] we had decontamination crews on site,” Platoon Chief Doug Harper with Toronto Fire Services explained.
“Crews went inside and they investigated to try and determine what the actual source of this irritant was. Unfortunately it was inconclusive.”
Harper said that despite the substance being a minor irritant, for precautionary purposes all 62 workers inside the plant were decontaminated and then turned over to paramedics to be evaluated.
Paramedics said the four people in hospital have respiratory issues but are expected to be okay.
There has been no word on what the leaked substance was.
“Tonight we’re going to secure the scene, allow it to ventilate naturally and then tomorrow morning we’re going to be sending additional crews in and they’re going to monitor the situation,” said Harper.
