CONCORD — Five people were taken to NorthEast Medical Center after an accident involving a high-tech washing machine being installed in a nursing home
Battalion Chief Bruce Cress of Concord Fire and Life Safety said all five victims suffered from respiratory problems from the fumes when two chemicals mixed together.
Carol Lovin, a spokeswoman for NorthEast, said all five were treated and released.
The incident occurred around 12:41 p.m. Friday at Universal Healthcare Center, at 430 Brookwood Ave. N.E., a facility behind the Concord High School football stadium.
Cress said an independent contractor was installing a washing machine that automatically dispenses soap materials.
In the process of connecting the machine to the cleaning materials two of the products spilled and mixed together, causing a dangerous respiratory fume.
Fire officials identified the chemicals at hydrofluorosilicic and sodium hypochlorite.
Cress praised the staff at Universal Healthcare Center for acting quickly to deal with the situation. The fumes were contained in one area.
By the time firefighters arrived, the staff had already evacuated patients from the area near the spill.
And the man who was installing the machine made it out of the room through a door that opened to the outside.
Fire officials said three employees, one visitor and the independent contractor were transported by Cabarrus EMS to NorthEast.
Identities of those treated weren’t available.
The Concord Hazardous Material Team from Station 7 as well as Stations 1 and 2 responded to the call.
The Hazardous Materials team worked to contain the material and ensure that there were no further contamination.
Firefighters used water and fans to dilute and dissipate the fumes. The air was tested before patients were allowed back in.
No patients were injured.
A staffer at Universal Healthcare referred questions to the administrator who was not available.