Discarded Acid, Paint Mix, Force Evacuation
Illegally discarded muriatic acid and latex paint somehow mixed to create noxious fumes and force the evacuation of several businesses Thursday, officials said.
Someone dumped the containers of acid, paint and paint thinner in an alley behind the Staples store in the 400 block of Main Street, said Fire Department Operations Chief Frank Frasz.
“It looks like the muriatic acid tipped over and spilled into the paint,” he said, creating a cloud that passersby reported to Orange firefighters about 1:10 p.m.
The cloud soon dissipated, but about 70 people from 16 businesses were evacuated for three hours as a precaution while firefighters cleared the mess, Frasz said. Residents at a nearby apartment complex were told to stay inside.
No one appeared injured by the cloud, which could have caused burning and irritation, Frasz said.
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