Jerusalem residents briefly ordered indoors after toxic chemical leak

Residents of Jerusalem’s Pisgat Ze’ev neighborhood Tuesday morning were temporarily ordered to remain indoors after a mysterious toxic chemical leaked from a truck, police said.

At least two people, including a toddler, were hospitalized after the spill.

Emergency response teams were called to Moshe Dayan Boulevard to treat people in the vicinity of the spill who began vomiting and experienced nausea and a burning sensation in their eyes.

A woman and toddler were taken to Shaare Zedek Medical Center for ailments stemming from the leak.

The woman, 41, was in fair condition and a 1-year-old boy, who is suspected to to have drunk water contaminated by the chemical, was hospitalized in moderate condition.

Firefighters and HAZMAT units ordered nearby residents to stay indoors and turn off air conditioning units to prevent the spread of the chemical.

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The streets adjacent to Moshe Dayan Boulevard were closed to cars and pedestrians for approximately two hours Tuesday morning. The city’s light rail tram service was also suspended near the area.

The chemical was not immediately identified by officials. However, a number of reports said the substance was a type of formaldehyde solution, a highly corrosive, toxic and flammable substance.

Just before noon, HAZMAT teams reopened the road and the rail line after cleaning the affected area with water.

Police have launched an investigation into the incident.

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The leak comes a day after a fire broke that broke out in the Givat Shaul neighborhood ignited the asbestos roofs of several buildings, raising concerns of hazardous substances spreading from the site.

The Jerusalem Fire Department said special units were dispatched to the scene to monitor the possible spread of airborne asbestos, however no injuries related to the chemical were reported.