One hospitalized after hazmat incident at Carnegie Tower in Portsmouth. What we know

PORTSMOUTH – One person was injured following a hazardous material incident at the Carnegie Tower on Friday morning.

Portsmouth Assistant Fire Chief Howie Tighe said the Fire Department was called at approximately 9:15 a.m. by maintenance staff at Carnegie Tower, 1 Tower Drive, for a chemical spill. Upon arrival, firefighters found a maintenance worker who had accidentally mixed two chemicals used for the facility's outdoor pool, causing a chemical reaction.

Tighe said the worker suffered inhalation injuries and was transported to Rhode Island Hospital for treatment. The condition of the employee was not immediately known.

Tighe said the system was shut down, occupants were sheltered in place in the area and the property was closed. The Hazardous Materials response team from the East Providence Fire Department, the Decontamination team from the North Kingstown Fire Department, the DEM State Emergency Response Team and OSHA responded to the incident.

After evaluating and ventilating the location and providing initial mitigation to make the area safe, a private contractor was hired by the property management company and DEM to remove the remaining remnants.

The area was deemed safe at 1:45 p.m., all fire departments were released, and DEM remained onsite.

Tighe said no other injuries occurred.