MOUNT CARMEL — A Mt. Vernon hazmat team was called out Monday morning, after a large section of Mt. Carmel was evacuated due to a chlorine leak at the waste management facility at 3rd and South Division.

Chlorine can be deadly if too much is inhaled.

Police say the call about the leak came in shortly before 8 a.m. Monday. Reportedly an operator was trying to change a cylinder and a valve broke, causing chlorine to spill.

According to police, the leak stretched a half mile into the city and mandatory evacuations were implemented.

Affected residents were allowed to go to the First Baptist Church in Mt. Carmel during the evacuation.

South School is in the area of the leak. The school was not part of the initial evacuation because authorities said it was not being affected by the leak. However, just before 10 a.m., the school was also evacuated.

The all clear was given around 11:30 a.m. and residents were allowed to return home.