2:03 a.m. Update: Fire crews evacuate center of campus after gas leak

Firefighters and police blocked access to much of the center of campus late Sunday night and early Monday after IU employees reported a hydrogen chloride gas leak in the Chemistry Building.\nPolice evacuated multiple buildings and would not let passers by within 330 feet of the site as hazardous materials crews entered the building and removed a leaking gas cylinder between 11:15 p.m. Sunday and 1 a.m. today.\nBloomington Township Lt. Scott Fleck said there were no injuries or safety risks to anyone inside or around the building because of the small quantity of the gas released and the low level of exposure. \nHe said the department was taking precautions as they followed standard protocol when dealing with a gas which may be potentially dangerous. \nHydrogen chloride can be irritating and corrosive to the eyes, skin and mucous membranes, the Occupational Safety & Health Administration's Web site said. Low amounts can be tolerable while exposure to high concentrations can cause laryngitis, bronchitis and pulmonary edema.\nFleck said it is probable the leak was present for a long period of time, possibly days. He said authorities were contacted late Sunday night by IU personnel when they smelled what they believed to be hydrogen chloride.\nGraduate student Rahul Rahul said he was in the room with the leak when workers became aware of problem in his lab on the third floor of the Chemistry Building. He said his boss told him to evacuate the premises because of a probable hydrogen chloride leak. \nAfter being notified of the situation Fleck said the department worked with the University and Bloomington and IU Police Department representatives to deal with the situation. \n"We set up our plan, and I think it was executed flawlessly," Fleck said. \nFleck said the department removed the leaking cylinder and cleaned the lab to a harmless state. IU will finish the remainder of the clean-up, he said.