Earlier today, Sussex County officials responded to a local restaurant for a reported HAZMAT incident.
n Tuesday morning an incident unfolded at the Chipotle restaurant located in the vicinity of the Tanger Outlets in Rehoboth Beach. At approximately 10:58 AM, reports from the scene indicated a hazardous materials situation involving a leaking CO2 tank was underway.
Emergency responders from Rehoboth Beach and Lewes, along with Sussex County Medics arrived at the scene to address the situation. The caller to 911 reported that several individuals were experiencing breathing difficulties and headaches due to possible exposure to a leaking CO2 tank, according to initial reports from the scene.
About 20 minutes into the incident a third ambulance was requested to transport the affected individuals to nearby medical facilities Initial reports from the scene indicated that at least four patients were transported to the hospital.
About 25 minutes after the initial call was dispatched Command reported that the incident was placed under control, and ventilation procedures were initiated to disperse any remaining CO2 from the area.
In response to the incident, authorities also notified the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC).