Rhode Island and Massachusetts crews respond to hazardous materials incident that left 7 injured, 1 critical

Fire Chief Christopher Coleman and State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine report that the North Attleboro Fire Department responded to a Tier 2 hazardous materials incident at a business in the North Attleboro Industrial Park Tuesday.  

At approximately 10:00 a.m., the North Attleboro Fire Department responded to J.T. Inman Company, 31 Larsen Way, for a report of an ammonia leak.   

All workers were able to safely exit the building before firefighters arrived. Out of an abundance of caution, two other businesses located next to J.T. Inman were also evacuated.  

Seven workers sustained injuries and were transported via ambulance to area hospitals for treatment. One patient was transported to Rhode Island Hospital in critical condition with non-life-threatening injuries. No firefighters sustained any injuries during the incident. 

Chief Coleman requested a Tier 1 HazMat response, and the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services Hazmat Response Team was called in to investigate. Upon their arrival, the DFS Hazmat Response Team elevated the response to a Tier 2.   

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, local Board of Health, Building Department and Department of Public Works also responded to the scene.  

While working to safely mitigate the leak, emergency crews shut off access to an exterior tank that was believed to be the source of the ammonia leak. The leak was contained to inside of the building. Hazmat crews also monitored the outside perimeter of the building to ensure there was no threat to the public.  

The North Attleboro Police Department closed the road while first responders were on scene but has since reopened it.  

The building was turned over to the tenant and will remain closed until further notice. 

The cause and origin remain under investigation by the North Attleboro Fire Department, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Occupational Safety and Health Administration. However, the preliminary investigation indicates that a line connected to a 1,000-gallon ammonia tank that was believed to be empty was cut, resulting in ammonia dispersing into the building.  

Mutual aid was provided by the Plainville Fire Department, Attleboro Fire Department, Mansfield Fire Department, Foxboro Fire Department, Cumberland, Rhode Island Fire Department, Seekonk Fire Department, Norfolk Fire Department, Norton Fire Department, the DFS State Hazmat Response Team, Mansfield MEMA Rehab, Providence Canteen and DFS State Rehab Unit. Station coverage was provided by the Wrentham, Easton and Cumberland, Rhode Island Fire Departments.