Chemical Spill Closes EMCS Building at UTC

Chattanooga, TN (WDEF)-The accidental spill of a hazardous chemical disrupted classes in one building at UTC Thursday morning.
No one was hurt, but the the university and the hazmat team took no chances.

The incident occurred in a lab in the Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science building around noon.
The staff knew what to do.

Bruce Garner, with the Chattanooga Fire Department said, “Evidently a substance called Pyridine, about a quart of it was accidentally released into the open environment. Its a hazardous substance so they evacuated the laboratory immediately and called 9-1-1.”

The hazmat team ordered the entire engineering building to be evacuated as a precaution.

“There were 2 people that reportedly were exposed to the substance initially…a UTC police officer and a student. Both were checked out by Hamilton county EMS,” said Garner.

They declined treatment at a hospital.

UTC’s Vice Chancellor, Chuck Cantrell said, “These students have to learn on these materials, they have to have experience dealing with them, and sometimes that means something’s going to happen.”

The substance was flammable, which added to the possible danger.

The first responders have practiced this drill at UTC.

“When something like this happens we’re prepared to deal with it because they’re also prepared to deal with it..so its really a team effort ..and we very much appreciate what a good relationship ..and what a great job these guys do for us,” said Cantrell.

All other classes continued on schedule.