By Thomas Hair
Opinions Editor

Fire departments from four cities and DFW Airport’s hazardous chemicals crew rushed to the site of a methanol leak at 1400 Belt Line Road in Coppell. Seven individuals at the site of the leak were delivered to a local hospital with symptoms of varying severity, but none are in critical condition.

The source of the spill was determined to be a punctured  55-gallon barrel of methanol, also known as Methyl Alcohol, at a building owned by telephone repair company CP&P Texas. The company reportedly used the chemical as a cleaner. Initial reports incorrectly stated that the facility was owned by Hyundai.

Coppell Community Info Officer Sharon Logan has confirmed that the spill is well under control. Exposure to methanol can cause irritation to eyes and skin, breathing difficulties, headaches, nausea, vomiting and even temporary or permanent blindness in severe cases. The conditions of the hospitalized individuals has not been released and the telephone company has not issued a statement on the incident.