More details emerge from hazmat incident at Hayden Corp. on Monday morning
'We have cryogenic hydrogen tanks on our facility that are designed to vent off excess hydrogen to avoid over-pressurizing the tank,' said Dan Hayden, president of Hayden Corp. 'That's what people driving by saw.'
Passersby reported seeing clouds of smoke coming out of Hayden tanks at around 7 a.m. Monday, which caused the area around the facility to be shut down, he said. City officials called it a hazardous materials situation.
By mid-morning, the area had reopened, according to a social media post from the West Springfield Police Department.
The hydrogen is so cold — roughly minus 437 degrees Fahrenheit — that when it mixes with atmospheric air, it 'liquifies and chills the air around it,' Hayden explained.
The hydrogen, while not hazardous to inhale, is explosive, which is why first responders set up the perimeter around the site, blocking off roads to Park, Baldwin and River streets.
The West Springfield Fire Department said in a social media post that Eversource shut down power to the area shortly before 9 a.m., a move that affected 156 customers.
The West Springfield Police and Fire departments did not respond to requests for comment Monday or Tuesday.
Hayden said the company was back in business Tuesday.
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