Chipotle in Pittsfield Evacuated for Hazmat Leak
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A carbon dioxide leak forced the evacuation of Chipotle on Hubbard Avenue on Tuesday afternoon.
Around 2:14 p.m., firefighters responded to the eatery for a possible refrigerant leak and found a liquid CO2 tank inside with frozen lines and off-gassing because of over-pressurization, according to the report by Deputy Chief Neil Myers.
All employees had evacuated the building and it was requested that the company responsible for the CO2 system and the Pittsfield-based state hazardous materials team respond. The company had reportedly filled the system a few hours prior and found a small leak in the pressure relief hose outside of the restaurant when they came back.
Chipotle is open every day from 10:45 a.m. to 10 p.m., meaning that the business was open at the time of the incident.
The frosted lines were a result of the recent filling and the small leak in the hose led to the off-gassing. The technicians repaired the leak and, after consultation with the incident commander and hazmat team, the business resumed normal operations.
There were no reported injuries to staff or customers.
The restaurant opened in Taco Bell's former location in Berkshire Crossing over the summer and the building was completely renovated.
Tags: hazmat,
