New Bedford man, juvenile exposed to refrigerant leaking from 1940s refrigerator
“This past Thursday evening at 6:15pm, the NBFD responded to 341 Davis Street for an unknown chemical leaking inside this one family home.
Fire crews found an adult male and a juvenile male who had been exposed to a refrigerant leaking from a 1940s era refrigerator in the basement.
The NBFD Hazardous Materials Coordinator responded and called for a Tier 1 hazmat response from the District 1 MA Hazardous Materials Team. A Tier 1 response provides assistance in identifying the chemical and provides information to health care providers at the scene or at the Emergency Department. Both residents were transported to St. Luke’s Hospital via NBEMS ambulance.
New Bedford Fire Department photo.
The NBFD Hazmat Coordinator and state hazmat techs were able to identify the leaking refrigerant as sulfur dioxide, which was commonly used in refrigerators from that time. Both residents were released from St. Luke’s Hospital later the same evening.
Fire crews and hazmat technicians were able to remove the refrigerator from the basement while on breathing air (SCBAs) and ventilate the home with positive pressure fans which took an extended time due to the gas being heavier than air. Monitoring was conducted inside and outside of the residence. There were no further hazards once the chemical was released inside the home.
The New Bedford Health Department also provided assistance and along with hazmat personnel determined the home was safe to enter the following day.”-New Bedford Fire Department.
New Bedford Fire Department photo.
New Bedford Fire Department photo.