16 Hospitalized After Toxic Fire
Sixteen people were hospitalized for a time this morning after a toxic chemical reaction produced by a fire extinguished with a dry retardant caused the release of toxic hydrogen chloride gas fumes, forcing the evacuation of a Boyle Heights electroplating plant.
Another 40 people, employees of Bronze-Way Plating Corp., were treated with oxygen at the scene when firefighting units arrived at the plant at 3432 East 15th St. shortly after 8 a.m. Fire officials said the fire was touched off by an overheated vat containing coating chemicals.
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