Haz-Mat Team Helps Control Pa. Laboratory Fire
Jan. 22--A fire involving hazardous materials broke out in a Bethlehem manufacturing plant Monday afternoon, fire officials said. No one was reported hurt.
The 3:20 p.m. blaze may have involved a form of phosphorus in the IQE Inc. laboratory at 119 Technology Drive near the Fahy Bridge, according to emergency radio reports.
To reduce the danger, a haz-mat team reportedly flooded part of the building with nitrogen. Fire officials said fire Lt. Mike Rampulla of the city haz-mat team will have more information on the fire Tuesday morning.
Last month, a hydrogen leak from an outdoor tank at the same IQE plant area forced Bethlehem officials to close the Fahy Bridge for a half-hour while the gas dissipated.
The hydrogen cleared up from the neighborhood Dec. 3 soon after the leaky hydrogen tank emptied itself.
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