Incident Summary
Engine 8 responded to 4200 Sycamore Avenue for a report of water coming from a chemical manufacturing company. Command Car 31 was also added to the call.
Upon arrival, Engine 8 observed large amounts of water coming from the closed overhead doors of a loading dock and from an entry door in the front of the building. Firefighters circled the building and determined there was water coming from all sides. They noted placarding for hazardous materials on the doors. Through a window, they also observed large amounts of water spraying inside.
On-site personnel advised that cleaning supplies are manufactured at this facility.
Donning personal protective equipment, Engine 8 entered the building with an air monitor. They found the main water supply damaged with no way to shut down the water flow. Approximately one foot of water had accumulated throughout the floor of the facility. There was a significant supply of various chemicals on pallets exposed to the water.
Property owners were contacted by telephone. They advised MFD that most of the chemicals on site are water soluble, but there was one chemical on site that could react adversely if it comes into contact with water. With this information, Engine 8 evacuated the building to await the arrival of the MFD Hazardous Incident Team (HIT). Surrounding businesses were ordered to shelter in place, and MPD closed Sycamore Avenue to prevent traffic from passing by.
The MFD HIT, Madison Water Utility, MGE, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources all responded to the scene. Madison Water Utility was able to shut down the building's water supply, and water drained from the facility as the MFD HIT continued its investigation.
The MFD HIT entered the building with self-contained breathing apparatuses and turnout gear to perform atmospheric readings and look for any off-gassing of chemicals. No off-gassing was noted, and no life safety hazards were found.
The DNR collected water samples from multiple locations of Starkweather Creek upstream and downstream from the property. The property owner was advised that a hazardous material cleanup company would be needed to properly handle the cleanup process. MFD units cleared from the scene around 5:30 PM.
--PIO Cynthia Schuster
