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“State Police detectives from the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office have joined Norwood Police and Fire personnel, OSHA, State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey, and the Fire Marshal’s Hazardous Materials Team, in investigating a fatal incident at an industrial property in Norwood.
Norwood Police and Fire received an emergency 911 call shortly after 11 a.m. today (December 19, 2022) reporting an ammonia leak causing personal injury at a food processing facility on Morgan Drive in that town.
Preliminary investigation indicates that two adult males were working for an outside contractor in the vicinity of the ammonia leak when it initiated. Norwood first responders were able to stabilize and transport one man to Good Samaritan Medical Center, and he was then further transferred to Massachusetts General Hospital for specialized treatment.
A second man, in his 50s, was deceased on scene.
Norwood Fire Department photo.
The event was classified as a Tier 2 Haz-Mat incident, and the Department of Fire Services deployed Haz-Mat teams with specialized personnel, equipment, and apparatus to support local authorities.
While the initial investigation, including review of video surveillance from within the facility, does not provide indications of foul play in the man’s death, the investigation is in its very beginning stages. The area within the building is still subject to dangerously high concentrations of the noxious substance and it will some number of hours before investigators can enter the immediate area.
The next-of-kin notification process has begun, but the identity of the decedent is being held until that process is complete. That is expected to be completed tonight.
“The information that we have is that this is an incredibly dangerous situation for the fire, Haz-Mat and police personnel responding,” Norfolk District Attorney Michael W. Morrissey said. “We will be proceeding with this investigation as quickly as safety allows.”-Norwood Police Department.
Norwood Fire Department photo.
Norwood Fire Department photo.
Norwood Fire Department photo.
Norwood Fire Department photo.
