Worker Killed In Seaport District Ammonia Leak

BOSTON (CBS) - An employee at a seafood company has died after an ammonia leak inside a warehouse in the city's Seaport District.

Boston Fire responded to the Stavis Seafoods warehouse at 7 Channel Street at about 6 p.m. Wednesday.

The leak occurred at the end of the shift for the workers at the warehouse.

"Our first companies on the scene made entry to try to save one of the workers but they were pushed back by the product, the ammonia," Boston Fire Chief John Walsh said.

The victim, identified only as an adult male, was found in a stairwell.

Four other workers who were in the building were able to evacuate.

The leak prompted a Level 3 Hazmat response and firefighters wore fully encapsulated suits when they entered the building.

The ammonia leak was stopped when firefighters shut down the main valve several hours after they arrived at the warehouse.

Officials do not know how the leak started.

Boston Police Commissioner William Evans says homicide detectives and OSHA are investigating the incident.

In a statement, Stavis Seafoods said they were "devastated" and they were working with authorities to understand what happened.

While the leak was still active, police shut down several streets and told nearby residents and businesses to shelter in place.