Boston

3 Firefighters Transported After Boston Building Evacuated Due to Hazmat Incident

Three firefighters were hospitalized after a hazmat incident in a downtown Boston building on Wednesday afternoon.

Boston fire officials said the Level 3 incident occurred around 12:45 p.m. at 218-230 Congress St., a 12-story commercial building in the city's Financial District.

The building was evacuated and the Boston Fire Department's hazardous materials team was called in to investigate. Boston police and EMS officials also responded to the scene.

Two of the building's occupants were evaluated on scene and three firefighters were taken to hospitals for evaluation after feeling light-headed and nauseous. Their conditions were not immediately available.

Drivers were asked to avoid the area for a time due to heavy traffic. Purchase Street at Congress Street was temporarily shut down but has since reopened.

The incident was described as an unknown chemical release. A fire department spokesman said a strange odor was making people feel ill.

No escalated readings were found inside, and the hazmat team is still working to determine what caused the odor.

Meanwhile, the building has been declared safe and turned back over to the property management company.

Fire officials said Wednesday night that the building was cleared to be reopened Thursday.

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