1 hospitalized after exposure to industrial chemical spill in Sidney

SIDNEY — Multiple hazmat teams and fire departments responded to an industrial chemical spill in Sidney that injured at least one person Tuesday morning.

>> PHOTOS: 1 injured after HCL acid spills in Sidney commercial building

Hazmat and fire teams from Sidney and nearby stations in Shelby County were dispatched to the 1900 block of Progress Way at around 9:08 a.m. on reports of a chemical spill, Sidney Dispatch said.

A full evacuation of a commercial building was ordered following the chemical spill, a hazmat team told News Center 7 crews who responded to the scene.

One employee was reportedly “exposed” to the chemical, prompting medical units to respond.

An employee was transported to an area hospital, while another refused transport after being treated at the scene, Assistant Chief Eric Barhorst of Sidney Fire said.

Although the call came in as an industrial spill of hydrochloric acid, a preliminary investigation found that the chemical was a sodium metabisulfite solution, Barhorst continued.

Emergency responders were able to confirm that the product did not leak; however, there was an “active chemical reaction in the container,” Barhorst said. Firefighters and employees mitigated the situation with neutralizing material made to control the chemical.

Emergency responders were able to clear the chemical spill within about two hours.

There was no further threat to public health or safety.

Anna Fire Department, Lockington Fire Department, Piqua Fire Department, Sidney Police Department, and the Shelby County Hazmat team assisted Sidney Fire with the incident.

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