8 firefighters exposed to cyanide gas

Eight firefighters who were battling a four-alarm fire at a Portsmouth boat yard Thursday morning have been taken to the hospital after being exposed to cyanide gas .

According to Fire Chief Jeffrey Lynch, the eight firefighters are being treated for cyanide exposure as a precaution. A ninth firefighter is being treated for a leg injury and National Grid worker was also hurt, he said.

Lynch said he does not have further information on their conditions.

The fire broke out around dawn at New England Boatworks on Lagoon Road. The company employs about 80 to 90 people.

The owner's wife said the chemicals should not have posed a huge problem for firefighters.

"It's a boat yard. You've got chemicals everywhere. But most of the chemicals are kept in fire-proof containers, so it's probably bits of wood going up," said Corrine Rich.

Portsmouth police said they were notified by a 911 call. The area, which is in the marina district of town, was blocked off to traffic.