Stoneham Fire Department responds to hazardous materials incident on Main Street

STONEHAM – Chief Matthew Grafton reports the Stoneham Fire Department was called to a hazardous materials incident at a business on Main Street on Wednesday.

On Wednesday, September 18, at approximately 1:18 p.m., the Stoneham Fire Department was called to LA Fitness, 121 Main St., for reports of smoke coming from an HVAC unit on the roof.

Firefighters pulled the fire alarm to evacuate the building. The Stoneham Fire Department's aerial ladder was out of commission due to mechanical issues, so the Woburn Fire Department sent an aerial ladder to assist. Firefighters were able to shut down the rooftop HVAC system and declare it a Level 1 hazardous material.

The gas emitted by the HVAC system is believed to be Freon, but a regional government hazardous materials team is currently on the incident to positively identify the gas and confirm its safety.

Firefighters from Woburn and Reading covered the Stoneham Fire Station while companies responded to the incident.

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