Chemical removed from lab detonated in Chicopee

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - Residents of Chicopee heard a very loud boom shortly after noontime on Monday, as the State Police Bomb Squad worked to dispose of chemicals removed from a college lab.

Mayor Michael Bissonnette wrote on his Facebook page that the “potentially volatile and unstable” chemicals were removed from the Elms College laboratory, and brought to a secure area on Depot Street to be detonated.

Nancy Farrell, Director of Institutional Marketing for Elms College, told 22News that a small quantity of Picric Acid was found during a routine cleaning of a lab at Berchmans Hall.

Farrell said that Picric Acid in its liquid form is not dangerous, but the chemical had dried-out; making it highly explosive. As soon as they found it, they called police and fire, who contacted the state police to remove it.

Around 12:03 P.M. a loud boom shook the windows of our 22News Broadcast Center, which is right across the Chicopee River from the site.

The Mayor said that there is no danger to the public.

Farrell said that the total quantity of Picric Acid removed from the lab was less than a gallon.