Hazardous materials response on Milwaukee's far south side

There was a hazardous materials response at Maitland Park on Milwaukee's far south side on Tuesday, Nov. 19. 

The Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office tells FOX6 News that deputies initially responded to the park around 7 a.m. Tuesday for a possible domestic violence incident.

"It’s shocking, It’s shocking," said Christopher Hicks, who lives in the neighborhood. "I’ve never experienced that."

Maitland Park, Milwaukee

A 52-year-old man said his 39-year-old partner choked and tried to strangle him at a campsite inside the park, law enforcement said. 

While at the park, deputies went in to look for the suspect. Deputies came across an encampment of some sort -- and found jug-like containers with what they believed contained possibly hazardous chemicals. A hazmat team responded to contain and dispose of the material. 

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Police said the victim told deputies the suspect used the chemicals to melt or strip metals from computer parts to re-sell them. MCSO officials noted the loosely-kept acids were legally available household chemicals.

Maitland Park, Milwaukee

"I’ve been here for six years. I’m from Mississippi, but I moved to Milwaukee a few years ago, but I’ve never seen anything like this," Hicks said. 

Crews neutralized the acids and placed them in buckets for disposal. 

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Officials said the general public was never in any danger from the chemicals.