The Smithville Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to Federal Mogul off Cookeville Highway Sunday night after Central Dispatch received a call of a hydrogen peroxide spill at the plant.
The call came in at 5:08 p.m.
Firefighters quickly arrived on the scene to find the building had been evacuated. They donned air packs and breathing masks, entered the factory, and worked to help ventilate the building. Sources say there was actually no chemical spill, but firefighters did seal and remove a barrel to the outside, which may have been the source of the problem.
Efforts continued to ventilate the facility, even after firefighters left, and later employees apparently returned to work.
But at 8:18 p.m. Central dispatch received a call of people becoming sick at the plant. DeKalb EMS transported three people to the hospital and others reportedly went by private vehicle.
The fire department returned to the plant to assist EMS.
Officials of Federal Mogul have had no comment but have said a statement from the company will be released today (Monday)
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