MARSTONS MILLS – Hazmat crews were called to the Barnstable Transfer Station and Recycling Center on Flint Street in Marstons Mills late Friday morning. It was not immediately clear what substance prompted the call. One person was taken to Cape Cod Hospital as a precaution.
Statement from Centerville-Osterville-Marstons Mills (COMM) fire: At 1100 AM this morning COMM fire was were notified of a possible fire inside a trash compactor at the town transfer station. Upon our arrival crews found one compactor with white smoke coming from inside. Upon further investigation it was determined the smoke was related to a chemical reaction and there was no fire. The area was evacuated and the dump was closed to traffic. The Mass HazMat team was notified and after initial consultation a team response was initiated. The team sampled the air and contents of the compactor, the contents were then moved to a remote area of the dump and emptied. There was no additional smoke and after investigating it was determined that a bleach container likely came into contact with another chemical creating a reaction and smoke. The Mass DEP was contacted and the dump was allowed to reopen. One employee was transported to Cape Cod Hospital for evaluation due to contact with the chemicals.
