LIMA — Two employees were transported to area hospitals Thursday morning for respiratory issues following a chemical reaction at BEF Foods Inc., formerly Kettle Creations.
The food processing plant, which makes mashed potatoes for Bob Evans restaurants, was evacuated for around three hours, according to Tom Berger, director with the Allen County Emergency Management Agency. The condition of the two employees transported to the hospital was not immediately known.
A hazardous gas was created when an employee mixed bleach and another cleaner, called XT2002, said Berger. The EMA was called to the scene at approximately 5:30 a.m. and worked with the HAZMAT team to assist with air monitoring, Berger said. The building was cleared while the HAZMAT team assisted with the clean up process, Berger said.
Employees were allowed back into the plant at approximately 8:30 a.m. to continue working, he said.
Read more about this story in Friday’s The Lima News.
