Hazmat Crews Investigate Liquid On Atlantic Ave. MBTA Bus
BOSTON (CBS) -- Emergency crews shut down part of Atlantic and Essex avenues in Boston after a rider poured an unknown liquid on an MBTA bus on Saturday morning. Moments later, the woman driving the bus experienced dizziness.
"She complained of watery eyes and burning and respiratory issues," says Boston Deputy Fire Chief Stephen McNeil. "Other passengers self evacuated."
A hazmat team boarded the bus to investigate the incident shortly after 11 a.m.
"I heard it was some sort of liquid scare so I made myself scarce," said Christopher Richard of Boston.
"It looked like the entire fire dept was down here its good to know they all responded so quickly to the situation," said Boston resident Ryan Martineau.
Hazmat crews ventilated the bus, but found no elevated readings of anything dangerous.
"I think anytime something like this happens you have to play it by the book," McNeil says. "Everyone has a heightened awareness of this we go in not ruling anything in or anything out."
It's the second major incident in the past two days. On Friday, a bomb squad blew up a suitcase that was found on Atlantic Avenue. A Lawrence man has been charged with planting a hoax device.
"Yesterday was pretty scary and a lot of people had a lot of nerves up, and if this carries on we going to prosecute people," Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said on Saturday, "And we are asking people not to do this."
Both of the scares are making people remain vigilant and on alert.
"Now that I know everything is safe I feel better, but I was a little uneasy," Martineau said.
"I would never say over kill. I'm glad for the response and glad it wasn't anything," Richard says.
The female bus driver was taken to the hospital, but expected to be OK. The incident remains under investigation.