The Ohio EPA is investigating an "unidentified material" found while crews in Fairport Harbor were working on a water line and accidentally hit an old industrial pipe.
The incident happened on St. Clair Street while a crew of Fairport Harbor city employees was installing a water line near the Diamond Shamrock property, according to the EPA.
According to officials, four to five workers began to feel ill after a strange odor came from the abandoned line. All of the workers have since been treated and released.
There was a small amount of residual liquid in the pipe, which was contained and will be lawfully disposed of, the EPA said. Some of the material has been sent to a lab for testing.
Officials said that this was not a water line break and that this construction incident had nothing to do with the water system.
The EPA's emergency response team is working to ensure no additional liquids leach into the hole, and to remove and dispose of any contaminated soils.
St. Clair Street will remain closed while officials investigate.
