Emporia Fire Department was dispatched to 609 Commercial Street, Emporia, Kansas for a reported hazardous material call. Staff was cleaning out the basement and going through older bottles of chemicals used for compounding medications. One of the bottles looked abnormal. The staff contacted KDHE (Kansas Department of Health and Environment and were advised to call 911 based on the information given to KDHE. Fire units arrived on scene and closed Commercial street from 6th Avenue to 7th Avenue. The adjacent businesses were evacuated as precaution. EPD was requested to assist with traffic control. Fire units entered the building and examined the bottle in question. The chemical was a strong acid in its original container. The label on the bottle had some aging to it which gave it an abnormal appearance. There was no chemical spill, leak or reaction noted. It was determined the contents were stable with no immediate hazard. The staff was advised to contact a hazardous chemical clean up contractor to dispose of their old chemicals appropriately. The scene was turned back to staff of the business. Commercial street was opened up and all fire units went available.
Responding Units:
Emporia Fire: (1) Command Vehicle, (2) Fire Engines, (2) Ambulance, (2) Staff Vehicles
Emporia Police Department: (2) Patrol Cars
For questions, please contact the Emporia Fire Department at (620) 343-4230.