Whitman Fire Department responds to hazardous materials incident at private home

WHITMAN – Chief Timothy Clancy reports the Whitman Fire Department was called to a possible hazardous materials incident Friday evening.

On Friday, July 12, at approximately 9:15 p.m., the Whitman Fire Department responded to a report of a foul odor at a home located at 103 Brigham Street.

The residents reported that they returned home about four hours later and noticed an odor they thought was acetone. They said they did not feel sick or show any symptoms. Their two dogs were inside and appeared normal.

Upon arrival, the units did not notice anything suspicious. The house was equipped with a quadruple gas meter, but it was not providing any readings.

Out of an abundance of caution, Whitman Fire declared a Level 1 hazardous situation, the lowest level on a scale of five. The Level 1 hazardous situation also prompted the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services District 1 Hazmat Response Team to respond.

Technicians from the hazardous materials department inspected the house and found no evidence of dangerous amounts of hazardous substances using a measuring device. During further investigations, the technicians found a broken spray can in the basement, which was removed.

The house was ventilated with positive pressure until the smell disappeared. The residents were allowed to return home at 12:30 a.m. All firefighters and hazardous materials personnel left the scene of the accident without any injuries or signs of illness.

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