KETTERING, Ohio — A chemical spill that occurred during research at the National Composite Center on Tuesday night led to an alcohol-based fire in one of the laboratories on the center’s campus.
Fire crews were dispatched at about 6:30 p.m. to the center in the Kettering Business Park, 2000 Composite Drive, on a report of a fire.
Three employees were running an experiment when the spill occurred, said Tom Butts, shift commander, Kettering Fire Department.
“They were doing research unknown to us,” Butts said, and an estimated 20 gallons of isopropanol (“high based 100 percent rubbing alcohol”) that spilled sought out an electric ignition source and caught fire.
The alcohol was “consumed in the fire,” Butts said. The building's suppression system put out the fire.

Portland, Conn (WTNH) - Portland fire officials are on the scene of a 2-Alarm fire that started with reports of a gas leak, and led to an explosion.

On Saturday afternoon around around 2:45pm, Portland fire, police, and Hazmat teams were dispatched to a duplex on Summer Road after receiving reports of a gas leak. Police say the leak was caused by a backhoe that had struck a propane tank.

As firefighters were on the scene, an explosion occurred. A witness said that part of the house blew up in a huge explosion.

Firefighters were investigating a leaking propane tank at a gas supplier in Stoughton tonight, authorities said.

Stoughton Fire Lieutenant Jim Curtin said in a phone interview that a snow plow is believed to have struck the 1,000-gallon tank at the Airgas East facility on Maple Street at some time today. Curtin could not say how serious the leak was. He said no injuries have been reported.

SALT LAKE CITY — Residents who were evacuated from their downtown apartment building while hazardous materials crews investigated an odor on the fourth floor were allowed to return about 9 p.m. on Wednesday.

Officials said the source of the odor was identified as rubbing alcohol that it appears one man was spraying inside his apartment.

Police received a 911 call about a mysterious odor at the apartment at 135 S. 300 East. Firefighters could smell the strong odor when they arrived about 6:30 p.m. and quickly evacuated all 40 units. The occupant of the apartment from where the smell originated was not at home and couldn't be reached.

Crews discovered 10 bottles of rubbing alcohol upon entering the apartment, which they removed before airing out the apartment building. The odor had reached "potentially dangerous" levels, Salt Lake City Fire Capt. Wade Rockwood said.

Some residents expressed fear the odor was coming from a methamphetamine lab, but Salt Lake City Fire spokesman Scott Freitag said that was unlikely.

"We're not quite sure what exactly he was doing," Freitag said. "Police will follow up with the man."

LIBERTY – Hazmat teams are staying clear of the site of a train derailment near Liberty out of fear of fire.

Officials evacuated 436 homes as a precaution following the derailment.

Lynn Fisher, director of Pickens County emergency management, said the train was carrying isopropnal alcohol, a flammable liquid.

A spokesman for Norfolk Southern said it was carrying ethylene glycol, a flammable liquid, and polyurethane, a flammable material used to make foam for car seats.

“We have our folks en route to determine the extent of the damage,” train spokesman Robin Chapman said. “We do not know at this time if there has been a hazardous release.”