PLYMOUTH, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) -- An school custodian the Manomet Elementary School in Plymouth died and 11 others were transported after a hazmat situation at the school Monday.
At around 8:15 a.m. Monday, Plymouth police officers responded to the school for a report of an unresponsive who was working in the building at the time. The man was identified as 53-year-old Chester "Chet" Flattery, of Plymouth. Officials said it is currently unknown whether or not the death was connected to work being done on the building.
"Chet was an unbelievable person," said Plymouth's school Superintendent Gary Maestas. "He was a great employee."
Flattery was also described by his wife as a wonderful husband and father.
10 public safety employees and one other school employee were transported for evaluation, with minor chemical exposure symptoms of throat and eye irritation. The 10 public safety workers included three firefighters, three police officers, two state troopers, and two paramedics. All had been released by Monday night.
Local officials requested the State Hazardous Materials Response Team at the scene. The fire marshal's office said levels of chemicals in the building were very low and additional analysis was being done. Officials do not believe that carbon monoxide was the issue.
As of Monday evening, the school remained closed as the Hazmat team attempted to identify the chemical agent in the building, the Plymouth County District Attorney's office said in a news conference Monday.
The medical examiner's office is expected to perform an autopsy on Flattery to determine the cause and manner of death.
This story is developing. Stay with FOX 25 and MyFoxBoston.com as we learn more.
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