Fork truck mishap spills chemical in Fitchburg

A fork truck punctured a drum yesterday at ChemDesign Corp. and about 50 gallons of monoethylamine spilled out onto a pad designed with a collection area for such incidents, company officials said.

Nobody was injured, according to the company and the Fire Department.

The flammable chemical is slightly toxic and corrosive. It is used in chemical processing, said David P. Thompson, health, environment and safety manager.

The truck was going to pick up a shrink-wrapped pallet holding drums at the time, he said. Officials do not know how the accident occurred, but a seasoned driver was driving the truck.