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Chemical spill shuts down road, sends four to hospital

Authorities responded to a leaking compressed gas tank Tuesday, March 16, 2010, in a building on Grandin Road in Hamilton Twp.

Staff photo by Apryl Pilolli Authorities responded to a leaking compressed gas tank Tuesday, March 16, 2010, in a building on Grandin Road in Hamilton Twp.

ENLARGE PHOTO

Staff photo by Apryl Pilolli Authorities responded to a leaking compressed gas tank Tuesday, March 16, 2010, in a building on Grandin Road in Hamilton Twp.

ENLARGE PHOTO

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By Richard Wilson, Staff Writer Updated 7:25 AM Wednesday, March 17, 2010

HAMILTON TWP. — Authorities said a leaking compressed gas tank late Tuesday afternoon, March 16, caused a road to shut down and four firefighters to need medical attention.

Hamilton Twp. Fire Chief Mark Greatorex said the tank was leaking sulfur dioxide which caused noxious, malodorous smoke and vapor to emanate from a storage building at the former gun powder factory, now known as the Kings Mills Commerce Park, 1409 Grandin Road.

Firefighters initially responded at 5:11 p.m. By 8:20 p.m., the area was secure, according to a witness at the scene. Grandin Road reopened around 9 p.m.

A Cincinnati area hazardous materials team responded at about 5:25 p.m. after firefighters determined there was no fire and that the source of the smoke appeared to be chemical.

At 7:05 p.m., authorities temporarily shut down Grandin Road at Striker Road and Kings Mills Road at Columbia Road. Road closure signs were requested because addressing the problem “will take some time,” according to emergency communications.

Around 7:30 p.m., a commander on the scene requested to have four firefighters transported to the Bethesda Medical Center at Arrow Springs for precautionary reasons, according to emergency communications.

A witness at the scene reported that the firefighters were standing near where the hazardous materials team was working and may have been exposed to the harsh chemical.

While windows are broken and many of the buildings appear run down and abandoned, Greatorex said several small businesses operate at the location, which is adjacent to the Little Miami Scenic Bike Trail and the Little Miami River.

Staff writer Apryl Pilolli contributed to this report.

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