Nitric acid spill reported at Danvers industrial area

By Sarah N. Mattero, Globe Correspondent

An estimated eight gallons of nitric acid was spilled this afternoon in a warehouse in Danvers, the fire department said.

The spill was reported just before 2 p.m. inside the Doe & Ingalls building on Water Street, said Danvers Fire Captain Frank Sacco.

Sacco said that a Doe & Ingalls empoyee was taking a pallet of the chemicals off a shelf, hit a support pole, and some of the cases fell to the floor, spilling the liquid.

“The building had to evacuate, but there’s no other hazard other than that,” Sacco said. “It’s contained in the building and there are no vapors.”

Nitric acid is a highly corrosive and colorless liquid that is used to manufacture fertilizers, among other things. Those exposed to the chemical should avoid inhaling it or getting it on their skin.

No injuries were reported, and a cleanup crew was contracted by the warehouse to come in. Sacco expects the acid will be cleaned up after 6 p.m.