Worker Hospitalized After
About 50 gallons of hydrochloric acid spilled into a containment basin at a cogeneration plant in Newhall Friday, sending one man to the hospital after he inhaled fumes from the spill, the Los Angeles County Fire Department said.
The worker was attempting to shut off a leaking line at the AES Placerita Inc. cogeneration plant in the 20800 block of Placerita Canyon Road when he was overcome by the fumes, county Fire Capt. Javier Murrieta said. The worker, whose identity was not released, was taken to Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital.
Residents of a house near the cogeneration plant were also evacuated, Murrieta said. The cause of the 7 p.m. spill was unknown.
Workers began cleanup efforts Friday night by pumping the acid out of the bottom of the containment reservoir, Murrieta said. About 18 firefighters and county hazardous material unit personnel responded to the spill.
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