CRANSTON, Rhode Island (WBZ-AM) -- Fourteen firefighters were taken to the hospital after responding to a fire at a chemical distribution company Monday night.
Cranston Fire Chief William McKenna told WBZ-TV that what began as a call for a small fire on Elmwood Avenue turned into a potentially dangerous HAZMAT situation.
"It became quite hazardous when we found out there were chemicals that had been disturbed, containers that had been broken or breached," he said.
The chief said some of the chemicals stored in the building reacted to water, while others mixed with each other.
One of the firefighters taken to the hospital had difficulty breathing.
The others were being monitored while air quality was tested and other firefighters sheltered in place.
Some surrounding buildings, including a daycare, were evacuated.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Ben Parker reports