Chemical spill causes evacuation on campus

@kykernel

A troop of hazmat suit-wearing firefighters crowded around an animal research building near the W.T. Young Library on Wednesday afternoon after a chemical spill forced an evacuation of the building.

Some people reported irritation to the eyes and nausea, but no one was seriously injured after the unknown chemical spilled inside of a refrigerator.

People who were close to the chemical did undergo a decontamination process and were transported to the UK Chandler Hospital, but all were expected to be released by the end of the day.

A researcher transported the fridge from the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment’s Dimock Building to the Gluck Equine Research Center on Tuesday. The fridge had apparently been cleared out, but when workers smelled a stench coming from the fridge on Wednesday, they opened it and then immediately pulled an alarm.

Lexington fire battalion chief Joe Best said fire and police officials did not determine exactly which chemical caused the feelings of nausea and irritation.

UK officials tested the building and did not find any chemical residue, so the buildings was later reopened on Wednesday.

STAFF REPORT