Fire suppression system activated at Waltham gas station

WALTHAM, Mass. — A Waltham gas station's fire suppression system went off Wednesday afternoon.

The incident happened at the Gulf gas station on Trapelo Road in Waltham, covering the area with white powder, which is sodium bicarbonate.

Numerous cars and customers were at the gas station when the system went off. At least one car had to be towed and six customers were covered in the powder and were evaluated by the fire department and paramedics. No one had to be transported because the substance is not toxic. Officials tell Boston 25 News the substance is sodium bicarbonate, which they say is basically baking soda.

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The gas station owner said clean up will take awhile and they are working with a clean up company and DEP. Right now, the convenience store is open, but the gas pumps cannot be used.

There's no word how the system was activated. Officials will look at surveillance video.

Cox Media Group