Community
Fall River Fire, Massachusetts Hazmat identify and neutralize highly explosive compound
Fall River and Massachusetts crews responded Saturday night to an incident.
Members of Fall River Fire Department Engine 12, Heavy Rescue 1, and Car 2 responded to a hazardous materials incident on the 200 block of Purchase Street.
The State Hazmat Team was requested, and a Tier 1 response was provided.
The substance was identified and safely neutralized on scene.
There were no injuries reported.
No public health or environmental concerns have been identified at this time; investigation and decontamination steps are complete.
According to the Firefighter Union, the substance was hexamethylene triperoxide diamine.
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence states that hexamethylene triperoxide diamine (HMTD) is a highly sensitive explosive compound. According to the American Chemical Society, it is not easy to handle. Shock, friction, heat, and reaction with common metals can cause it to detonate.
