Church Street Closed For Chlorine Smell

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A stretch of Church Street was closed for more than three hours on Thursday night after a strong chlorine smell was reported near the Hoosac Tunnel.

The hazardous material team found no indication of chlorine and the scene was being cleared shortly after 11 p.m.

The Fire Department responded to 892 Church St., near the mouth of the Hoosac Tunnel at 8 p.m. according to the police log. Public Safety Commissioner E. John Morocco said two firefighters in protective gear approached the tunnel and saw an "orange cloud."

"Just to be safe, we evacuated some of the residences on Church Street and West Shaft Road," he said. The Florida Fire Department also was alerted to check the town's entrance to the five-mile railroad tunnel but found no odor on their end.

Morocco said a train had traveled through the tunnel prior to the report of the odor. Pan Am Railways was contacted and the train and cars were stopped in New York State and inspected but nothing was found.

Fire Director Stephen Meranti, two fire trucks, police, North Adams Ambulance Service and representatives from the railway were at the scene.

The road was closed between Hodges Cross and the intersection with Ashland Street. There are few residences along that section of road, with most of the frontage taken up by cemeteries, Morrison Berkshire, Berkshire Family and Individual Resources, the old cider mill, the School Department's greenhouse program and a bus depot.

Chlorine is a common disinfectant used widely in swimming pools. It can irritate the eyes and respiratory system and, in high concentrations, cause lung damage and even death.

The hazmat team arrived at about 9:30 and four team members went to the tunnel to take readings that came up negative. A hazmat truck was also reportedly on Main Street for a time.

"They didn't find anything. Whatever was there had dissipated," said Morocco.

Residents were going to be allowed back in their homes as the scene was cleared.