Chemical Release Prompts Downtown Building Evacuation

• This story was updated at 2:53 p.m.

The Boston Fire Department responded Friday morning to a reported chemical spill downtown that turned out to be a "chemical release," which created an odor on several floors, led to a building evacuation and caused non-life threatening injuries.

According to the Fire Department, the incident occurred on the 18th floor of 99 High St., and involved a release of water treatment chemical bromide. The chemical odor spread to several floors, Boston Fire reported.

The 32-story office building was evacuated as a precaution by Hazardous Materials technicians with the Boston Fire Department.

A facilities worker from the mechanical room where the release happened, as well as two other employees, were transported by Boston emergency responders with non-life threatening injuries, BFD said.

The building ventilation system was shut down as a precaution. Shortly before 1 p.m., Boston Fire tweeted that technicians, "under air and protective suits" were entering the mechanical room where the chemical release occurred, to check air quality.

Just before 3 p.m., Boston Fire tweeted that the chemicals were neutralized and air quality meter readings are within acceptable limits. Fire companies on-scene are being released, but hazardous materials technicians will remain on site.

People evacuated from the building will be let back in shortly to get their things or keep working.

Boston Fire Twitter initially incorrectly reported the chemical release as a chemical spill.

>> Photo courtesy Derrick G, used with permission