'Bad smell' prompts evacuation, emergency response to Tesla Industries near New Castle
Three people were taken to an area hospital Thursday morning after a "bad smell" prompted the evacuation of Tesla Industries, an electronic manufacturer near New Castle, according to officials at the scene.
Larry Tan, chief of the Emergency Medical Services Division for the New Castle County Department of Public Safety, said two others refused transport to the hospital by paramedics.
Employees began noticing the smell coming from the computer-aided drafting section of the building and reported feeling nauseated, said owner David Masilotti. One employee said they believed it was a broken sewer line.
Given the circumstances, Masilotti and his team decided to evacuate the building at about 9 a.m. and everyone exited the building without further issue, he said.
Jamie Bethard, chief of the Emergency Prevention and Response Section with the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, said his organization is investigating what caused the incident.
"We are leaning much more towards more of a sewer/gas style incident,” he said. "but we haven't confirmed that at this time.
"Our air monitoring did not necessarily show that."
When the incident began, Bethard said, people were complaining of feeling scratchy throats, or an itchy rash.
First responders clad in bright orange hazardous materials suits stood outside the building Thursday morning, preparing to enter. Fire companies from Five Points, Christiana and Good Will were on the scene.
Several of those firefighters were seated by their trucks talking to each other, while a few others were in the parking lot of the industrial building.
DNREC’s Emergency Prevention and Response Section within the state’s Division of Waste & Hazardous Substances also brought several trucks to the scene.
"If it was me, I would bring a plumber in here," Masilotti said after seeing the response from fire and hazmat crews.
A helicopter hovered above as people evacuated from the industrial building sat and watched the emergency crews at work. Employees could be seen going back in the building about 12:30 p.m.
The business on Centerpoint Boulevard manufacturers electronic equipment and parts for military and aerospace programs.
The white-stone building sits off Del. 273 in the Centerpoint Business Complex, surrounded by other businesses such as American Copper & Brass LLC, Lansing Building Products, Amazon.com, and Goodwill’s recycling center.
This is a developing story. Check back at Delaware Online for more details.
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