BURLINGTON, Mass. — A Massachusetts Buffalo Wild Wings is under investigation after a chemical mixture inside the kitchen killed one employee and left at least 13 staff members and customers hospitalized Thursday, authorities said.
Burlington, Mass., fire officials’ preliminary investigation Friday showed that 32-year-old Ryan Baldera was overcome by the fumes after a second employee combined two cleaning agents to the restaurant’s kitchen floor while attempting to clean it.
Baldera, the general manager, died after being rushed to a hospital Thursday night.
Authorities say the Lawrence resident was married and had an infant son.
According to Boston’s WHDH-TV, the fire department responded to the restaurant chain’s location in Burlington, Mass., about 15 miles northwest of Boston, just after 5:30 p.m. A team of firefighters wearing hazmat suits found a male worker suffering from nausea.
Interim Burlington Fire Chief Michael Patterson said at a news conference Thursday that the man had been exposed to the chemical, which was being used to clean the floor, after another individual mixed it and became ill.
Authorities said that at the time Baldera inhaled the fumes, he was trying to save others from the chemical.
A statement released Thursday by a Buffalo Wild Wings spokesperson said, “We are shocked and saddened to learn of this horrific accident at our franchise-owned sports bar and are working closely with our franchisee and the authorities while they conduct an investigation.”
Local authorities continue to investigate the incident. Patterson urged people who were at the restaurant Thursday to seek medical attention.