An unintentional release of hydrogen chloride vapor led to a hazmat response Monday by Columbia Fire Department. There was no community or environmental threat during this incident, the department reported.
The department responded after reports at about 4:59 p.m. of smoke coming from a commercial building in the 6500 block of Brown Station Road.
The smoke coming from the building contained hydrogen chloride vapor, causing several individuals on site to experience breathing difficulties.
The vapor was a byproduct of an industrial process at the business, and while sometimes routine, this release was not anticipated, Columbia Fire said. The department’s hazmat team was activated, leading to the situation cleared as contained and stabilized. Crews remained onsite until to monitor conditions as the irritant burned off.
“Today’s response underscored why it is critical to have a highly trained hazmat team ready at a moment’s notice,” Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer said in a news release. “Even though this incident turned out to be relatively quick to stabilize, the initial uncertainty required specialized expertise to quickly assess the situation and ensure public safety.”
Columbia Fire responded with 10 units, and 21 individuals and were assisted by University of Missouri Health Care EMS. No individuals needed transport to hospitals and there were no reported injuries, Columbia Fire said.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Columbia hazmat responds to smoke containing hydrogen chloride vapor