Businesses evacuate after toxic chemical spill

TWINSBURG, Ohio (AP) -- An industrial area of about 75 businesses was evacuated after a tank containing hydrochloric acid broke open, spilling the toxic chemical and releasing vapors, fire officials said.
Authorities weren't sure how many workers were affected because the evacuation occurred after normal business hours Wednesday. The cleanup continued this morning, and workers likely wouldn't be allowed to return before the afternoon, fire department spokesman Marcus Ketner said.
A truck driver who was near the tank when it broke open was taken to a hospital with injuries, Fire Capt. Tim Morgan said. Fire officials and Sagamore Hills Medical Center would not release his name or condition.
No one else was hurt and no homes were affected, Ketner said.
About 5,000 to 10,000 gallons of the acid spilled into a containment area about 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Morgan said. Nothing spilled beyond that area at Univar USA Inc., a chemical distribution company in this community about 15 miles southeast of Cleveland.
Hydrochloric acid can cause skin burns and can be toxic if ingested or if its vapors are inhaled.
Fire officials said they were not certain how the 20,000-gallon fiberglass tank broke into three pieces.
Calls to the company seeking comment were not answered today.