UPDATE: Section of Good Samaritan closed after chemical spill reopens

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – Good Samaritan’s emergency room has reopened following an early-morning chemical spill.

The Lexington Fire Department was called to the hospital around 5:30 a.m. Monday for the reported spill.

The fire department says about 8 ounces of pure, liquid phenol spilled on the floor in the pharmacy, which is located in the basement of the hospital.

The hospital uses phenol as an antiseptic in its operating rooms, according to the fire department. Its vapors can be corrosive to the eyes and skin.

Five people did undergo a decontamination process and 14 others were checked out in the emergency room as a precaution but no one was sickened, according to the fire department.

Firefighters say no patients were affected, only hospital employees.

The hospital was not evacuated but new patients coming into the emergency room were told they should go to another facility.

The hospital reopened around 8:20 a.m.

The fire department says the hospital is working to determine what caused the spill.