Hazardous materials release prompts evacuation of nursing facility

Michele Anderson, Public Safety Communications Manager

Wednesday, July 26, 2017 at 7:26 a.m.

Last night at approximately 7:30 p.m., two companies from the Spokane Fire Department (SFD) responded to an activated fire alarm at a nursing care facility located in the 1800 block of E. Upriver Dr.

Upon arrival crews discovered there was a leak from a hazardous gas container. Immediately, the incident commander upgraded the call to a hazardous materials response in order to have additional resources respond.

Four firefighters and two facility staff were exposed to the gas and were transported to a local hospital due to medical symptoms resulting from the exposure.

A portion of the facility was evacuated while another area of the facility was cordoned off to allow residents to safely stay. Approximately 75 residents in total were evacuated. SFD along with American Medical Response (AMR) worked with staff to ensure all evacuees were stable and did not need medical attention.

SFD’s Hazardous Materials Response Team was able to make entry to determine the gas leak had stopped, monitor the area, and determine the gas had been cleared, so residents could safely return to using the entire facility. No residents were injured or exposed to the gas. An additional facility staff member was injured during the evacuation process.

At the time of this release, the four firefighters that were exposed were released from the hospital are expected to make a full and quick recovery. There is no information available regarding the medical condition of the two facility staff members.