Hazmat Crews Respond to Pinegate Apts After Resident Suffers Chemical Burns

***UPDATE: Fire officials say the management company will arrange for evacuation and professional cleanup of the affected areas.***

North Carolina Hazmat crews are assisting the Chapel Hill Fire Department in responding Wednesday to an incident at Pinegate Apartments at 111 Pinegate Circle after a contractor misused a paint-removing chemical on the stairwells and floors in 11 apartment buildings.

Lisa Edwards is a public information officer for the Chapel Hill Fire Department.

“We received a call at about 7:36 this morning, indicating a small chemical smell,” Edwards said Wednesday morning. “Once we arrived, what we found was, we had a contractor who was trying to put down some paint thinner – a paint-thinner-type chemical, because they were going to try to strip the stairwells and re-paint. But they weren’t aware of the fact that it was hazardous.”

Some residents – and their pets – reportedly suffered injuries as a result.

“First we had one resident that fell and sustained some chemical burns on their elbow and their knees,” said Edwards. “We also had two owners who were walking their dogs, and once they stepped in it, [the dogs] sustained paw burns.”

Zaryab Hassen lives in one of the apartments that was locked down by officials. He was stuck outside of the apartment Wednesday afternoon after taking his dog, Hazel, to the vet. He says the Rottweiler came into contact with the chemical.

“The doctors said that they’re surprised that she’s alive and up,” he says. “But she hasn’t been acting like herself.”

Hassen says that he is a cook in the Chapel Hill – Carrboro School system and that he is spending all of the money he had saved to get him through the summer on vet bills at the moment right now.

Hassen adds that he has not heard from Pinegate management officials, as of Wednesday afternoon.

There are 128 units affected by the incident. Approximately 115 residents were asked to remain inside second and third floor apartments while hazmat crews evaluated the situation.

Edwards summed up the situation, just before noon.

“We have people sheltered in their homes,” said Edwards. “The manufacturer of the chemical has been contacted and advised. And we’re just trying to mitigate, and get all that cleaned up, so that we can have people able to leave their apartments.”

Edwards added the major concern is not about people breathing the fumes – it’s preventing people from direct contact with the chemicals.

The chemical was applied at around 4 p.m. Tuesday, which means that many residents may have been exposed. Residents are urged to contact Pinegate at (888) 620-2159 or (919) 493-2489 with any questions or concerns.

WCHL and Chapelboro will have more on this as details become available.

Hazmat Crews Respond to Pinegate Apts After Resident Suffers Chemical Burns

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