The Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District (SHFAD) was dispatched to a hazmat incident at Safeway on Oct. 1.
According to a press release, information given to the responders mentioned a potential gas leak with people not feeling well. During the investigation, Sweet Home personnel used a gas monitor in the back of the building where a strong smell of something resembling sulfur was residing.
The monitor alerted to carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide which are gasses that can be considered highly toxic at certain levels. The detection was the strongest in an area with various cleaning chemicals, a floor sink and natural gas powered water heaters. This left responders with the decision to evacuate the building. Northwest Natural Gas and the State Hazmat Team were notified and the area was left cleared and monitored until those organizations were able to arrive.
After it was determined that the smell was not from the natural gas system and that gas levels were at a safe enough level, the SHFAD continued their investigation. It was determined the source of the smell was from several batteries responders were able to locate in a floor cleaning machine and a pallet jack. Both had batteries that were possibly failing during the charging phase and were producing the aforementioned gasses.
SHFAD removed these from the building while utilizing fans to clear the building of the rest of the gas. The building was determined “all clear” by fire personnel at 1:20 p.m; just three hours after the initial call.
One employee was evaluated for nausea and breathing problems, with no transport.