Worker dead, 10 hospitalized after chemical incident at Burlington Buffalo Wild Wings

BURLINGTON, MASS. (WHDH) - One employee has died and at least and ten other people were hospitalized following a chemical incident at a Buffalo Wild Wings in Burlington on Thursday, a fire official said.

Emergency crews responding to a reported chemical reaction in the kitchen area of the South Avenue restaurant about 5:36 p.m. found a male employee who was suffering from nausea after he apparently breathed in the fumes of a powerful cleaning agent, according to Interim Burlington Fire Chief Michael Patterson.

The worker, whose name was not released,  was rushed to Leahy Hospital, where he later died.

At a press conference, Patterson said the chemical was being mixed to be used as a floor cleaner.

The man who died was trying to get the chemical out of the building after the person who mixed it became ill, officials said.

At least ten other people checked themselves into the hospital.

Anyone who was in the restaurant and thinks they may have been impacted is urged to seek medical treatment.

“We’re just sitting there and then all of a sudden we start smelling the whatever it was, ammonia or whatever it smelled like, and all of a sudden he inside of my nose starts burning,” one customer said. “We see the employees, like the waitstaff, everybody just flee.”

Another customer said there was no communication between the employees and the customers about the incident.

“One of the things that went through my mind is we’re sitting there and what are we supposed to do? Is everything OK? Should we even be breathing this air,” he said.

A statement released by a Buffalo Wild Wings spokesperson read in part:

“We are shocked and saddened to learn of this horrific accident at our franchise-owned sports bar and are working closely with our franchisee and the authorities while they conduct an investigation.”

The cause of the incident is under investigation.

Although there is no active threat to public safety, the restaurant will remain closed for the night while the investigation continues and crews work to make the building safe.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has been notified of the incident.

This is a developing news story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest details.

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