By Lauren King
The Virginian-Pilot, Norfolk, Va.
TOANO, Va. — Four James City County firefighters were injured battling a structure fire and hazardous materials situation at Greystone of Virginia on Sunday night.
An electric heater sparked a fire fueled by some plastic materials nearby, said District Chief Bob Ryalls. The precision plating and machining company’s sprinkler system contained the fire, but the water overflowed two 120-gallon vats of chromic acid onto the concrete.
Three firefighters were taken to the hospital for injuries from the fumes of the “extremely hazardous” chromic acid. Their injuries included inhalation of the toxic fumes and eye irritation, Ryalls said. A fourth firefighter broke his foot when a fire hose landed on it.
The Newport News Fire Department’s hazardous materials team and the state hazardous materials officer were working to contain the overflow of the chromic acid, Ryalls said.
Emergency units cleared the scene at about 12:30 a.m. Monday. Additional clean-up is expected to take place later this morning when there is more light available, Ryalls said.
According to the company’s Web site, the Toano plant in the 7900 block of Richmond Road was built in 1992 to serve worldwide automotive fuel system companies. Greystone is a Rhode Island-based company.
Copyright 2009 Virginian-Pilot