Evacuations are taking place in the Washington area due to a hazardous materials incident

Beaufort County authorities are asking the public to avoid the area of ​​Fifth Street from Third Street to Carolina Avenue in Washington due to an ongoing hazardous materials incident at a nearby water treatment plant.

Officials said they were notified of a hazardous reaction at the county's Plymouth Street Booster Station around 8 a.m. A delivery driver was delivering a supply of liquid ammonia sulfate when it was accidentally mixed with sodium hypochlorite, which began to off-gas. The delivery operation was stopped and 911 was notified. The building was immediately investigated. The delivery driver was transported by EMS for evaluation and is reported to be in stable condition.

The surrounding companies were evacuated as a precaution and their employees were sent home.

Authorities provided an update at 11:30 a.m., saying the mixture was no longer emitting gases and was still in its original poly container. The mixture had not entered Beaufort County's water supply and had no impact on the quality of drinking water provided by the county.

The public is still asked to avoid Third and Fourth Streets in the Plymouth Street area.

News 12 crews are on the scene and this article will be updated as new information becomes available.