Emergency crews respond to hazmat situation at water treatment plant

- Staff Report

The Portage County Emergency Management Agency and Kent Fire Department responded to a chemical emergency at the city of Akron Water Plant in Franklin Township Wednesday. A shelter-in-place order was issued for individuals and businesses within a half a mile of the plant.

Three people at the plant were taken to the hospital after “a delivery of the chemical alum was mistakenly added to two tanks of sodium hypochlorite commonly known as bleach. The mixture created a chemical reaction which resulted in the production of chlorine gas,” according to Akron officials.

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