Chemical Leak Forces Evacuation Of Delray Beach Store

DELRAY BEACH (CBSMiami) -- A chemical leak at a Delray Beach grocery store forced employees and shoppers to be evacuated on Saturday morning.

Fire Rescue officials said the leak of a refrigerant chemical mixed with an unknown additive and caused an explosive vapor cloud to fill the Monterrey Supermarket located at 1565 South Congress Avenue.

The mix produced extremely hazardous conditions since the chemical irritates the skin and causes respiratory issues, according to fire officials.

Crews discovered the leak in a refrigerator motor on the second floor of the building.

Florida Power and Light officials turned off power the building which cause the motor to stop running, containing the leak.

The store was later ventilated.

Customers and employees were allowed back into the building once there was no trace of the chemical in the air.

The power for the refrigerator motors will remain off until the leak can be repaired.

No injuries were reported.

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