Chemicals in car in Long Beach VA parking lot prompt hazmat response
Hazardous materials teams responded to reports of potentially hazardous chemicals at a parking lot of the Veterans Affairs Long Beach Healthcare System on 7th Street on Monday, Aug. 12.
A patient told staff that caustic chemicals were stored in his vehicle parked at 5901 E. 7th St., the Long Beach VA’s director of public relations, Richard Beam, said. He said it was not immediately clear what substances were involved, but if mixed, they had the potential to contaminate several hundred yards surrounding the car.
Security guards notified authorities about 2:46 p.m., Long Beach Fire Department Capt. Matt Dobberpuhl said. A hazardous materials team made entry to the vehicle, and secured the chemicals inside, Beam said.
The incident prompted officials at adjacent Cal State Long Beach to warn people near the VA lot to shelter in place. People inside International House, Los Cerritos Hall, the Student Health Center, as well as the Family & Consumer Sciences and Nursing buildings were instructed to remain where they were until further notice.
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS INCIDENT NEAR CAMPUS: The following buildings need to shelter in place: International House, Los Cerritos Hall, Student Health Center, Family & Consumer Sciences and Nursing. Info: https://t.co/6Wv6cwPRhN pic.twitter.com/Fcd9dv3WpJ
— CSULB (@CSULB) August 12, 2019
The warning was lifted at 4:10 p.m. and there appeared to be no immediate risk to public safety in the area, university police said in a tweet.
No injuries were reported, and no evacuations had been ordered, Dobberpuhl said. Some people near the parking parking lot were told to relocate, but no interruptions to patient treatment resulted from the scare, Beam said.