Emergency crews respond to hazmat situation in downtown Boston

BOSTON — The Boston Fire Department Hazmat Team responded to an unknown chemical release in the city's Financial District neighborhood.

Hazmat technicians reported finding zero readings in the building, but the company was decontaminated as a precaution.

The fire investigation unit was on scene as well to investigate what caused the fire suppression system to have activated.

According to a tweet by Boston Fire, a call came in at around 12:45 p.m. from 218-230 Congress Street.

The Boston Fire Department said a small combustion event happened on the 5th floor of 230 Congress Street, where AT&T occupies the floor.

Boston Fire Commissioner Joe Finn said no one was on the floor, where batteries and computers are kept, at the time of the incident.

Commissioner Finn said the extinguishing system was activated int he computer room on the 5th floor and oxygen was depleted.

"They were met by a vapor or cloud on the fifth floor space where there is a computer area projected by an FM 200 extinguisher system," said Commissioner Finn.

No one was working in that room at the time of the incident, but 3 firefighters were transported after complaining of dizziness.

Occupants were evacuated from the buildings for two and a half hours.

"At first we thought it was a regular thing, happens every once in a while," said Joe Flynn, a building evacuee. "This seems like it was pretty severe, glad everyone's okay."

Authorities have reported three firefighters and two people were taken to a local hospital for evaluation but are expected to be okay.

Officials blocked off parts of the area due to police response, prompting heavy traffic back-up at one of Boston's busiest neighborhoods.

"We were inconvenienced because we're a day to day business so we're trying to get in there and take care of our customers," said Brian Danilecki, who works at the building.

The building was cleared of any toxic fumes, but employees were told to go home for the day.

Boston EMS and Boston Police also responded to the scene.

The cause of this hazmat event is still under investigation.

Cox Media Group