BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) – A fire broke out in a University of Vermont geology lab Monday, sending 15 firefighters to the hospital with possible chemical exposure.
The fire started in Delehanty Hall on the Trinity College campus around 10 a.m., setting off alarms and sprinklers.
Firefighters who responded to the scene showed symptoms of chemical exposure, such as burning eyes and skin irritation, said Thomas Middleton, assistant Burlington fire marshal. They were treated and released from Fletcher Allen Health Care after the symptoms disappeared, he said.
“None of the folks had any continuing conditions,” he said.
The cause of the fire was being investigated Monday. The lab contained hydrochloric acid and other chemicals used to dissolve quartz.
The fire was contained to one room and extinguished by sprinklers and firefighters in roughly 20 minutes, he said.
A state hazardous materials team test of the presence of acids in the air and runoff water were both negative, Middleton said.
AP-ES-05-28-07 1605EDT
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