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Hazardous Materials Incident at Sears
By frhayes | June 2, 2009
At 10:30 p.m. on June 1st, Long Beach Fire Department’s Engine 17 was dispatched to a fire alarm sounding at the Sears Store on Bellflower Blvd. Upon arrival, it was determined that a smoke detector had been triggered by a significant leak of a refrigerant gas in the basement.
The refrigerant gas, used in the air conditioning system for the building, is both heavier than air and an asphyxiating material. And, if allowed to spread, would leave a residue throughout the store.
Engine 17 requested the assistance of Battalion 2 and Hazardous Materials Task Force 24. Upon arrival, the Hazardous Materials Technicians from Task Force 24 were able to enter the basement in encapsulating suits and stop the leak by crimping the burst copper tubing.
This response occurred in Council District 4 (O’Donnell), there were no injuries, and the building was turned over to Sears’s staff.
Topics: Incidents | 22 Comments »