Chemical explosion evacuates lab

A chemical explosion at Morehead Labs sent two students to the hospital and closed part of South Road on Tuesday afternoon.

Freshman Andrea Hall and junior Robert McKee were disposing of two chemicals when the explosion occurred at about 3:50 p.m.

The two were working on the first floor of the building. Department of Public Safety spokesman Randy Young said it was unclear how many people were in the building when the accident occurred, though one person was working in the room next door.

Hall and McKee were transported to UNC Hospitals. McKee, who received a cut above his right eye, was sprayed down at the scene. Hall had no visible injuries at the scene, Young said. The two were treated and released.

Young said the explosion was "very small."

"It's essentially been contained, although they're going up and doing a cleanup," Young said. "We do not know that those two chemicals being combined is the cause of all this."

Ray Hackney, acting director of the Department of Environment, Health and Safety, which is investigating the incident, said it is unclear what kinds of chemicals caused the explosion.

"Some containers of waste in a prep room in Morehead Laboratories exploded, probably due to incompatible chemicals," Hackney said.

University police closed South Road from South Columbia Street to Stadium Drive shortly after the explosion. Officers diverted traffic until the street reopened about 6:10 p.m., University spokeswoman Lisa Katz said.

A fire alarm was pulled to evacuate those in the building.

"They were removed as a precaution, but there was probably a small, minimal risk," Hackney said.

The wing where the explosion occurred is closed behind caution tape pending further investigation, Katz said. The rest of the building was reopened with South Road.

In addition to DPS and the environment, health and safety department, the Chapel Hill Fire Department and the Orange County EMS responded to the explosion.

Assistant University Editor Kelly Giedraitis contributed reporting.

Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.