Chlorine leak at Darien water facility prompts evacuation

A chlorine leak Tuesday afternoon at a Darien water treatment facility caused an evacuation in the west suburb.

The leak was discovered by an employee at the city’s water treatment facility at 1220 Plainfield Rd. about 1:40 p.m., according to a statement from the Darien-Woodridge Fire Protection District.

The leak was contained within a building, but due to wind, small amounts of gas were released into the neighborhood, which contains both homes and businesses, according to the fire district.

Several small business, a grocery and a daycare center were evacuated, and people in nearby homes were told to stay inside with doors and windows closed.

One Darien police officer suffered a minor injury and was treated at the scene.

The leak was contained by hazardous materials teams, according to the fire district. The cause has not yet been determined.