UPDATE: May 29 at 4:40 p.m.
According to Stephanie May, Eastern Region Communications Manager with the Department of Ecology, the incident occurred when a community member was unloading trash, causing unknown chemicals to mix and create heat and fumes.
The Department of Ecology quickly responded to assist and monitor air quality.
May said a chlorine sensor was used and detected only 0.1 parts per million of chlorine with no other hazardous readings in the air.
Clean up contractors are currently on site, and the facility will remain closed while the hazardous materials sorting continues, May added.
Despite the closure, N. Elk Chattaroy Rd. has reopened from E. Russell Rd. to E. Big Meadows Rd., restoring normal traffic flow in the area.
COLBERT, Wash. – A chemical spill at the Spokane County Regional Solid Waste North Transfer Station prompted an evacuation and nearby road closures Thursday in Colbert.
According to Spokane County Fire District 4, the hazardous spill was reported around noon. The building was shut down, and two people inside were evacuated. No additional evacuations were necessary.
Firefighters said the spill occurred when a customer driving a pickup truck entered the recycling center. Officials said there was “something” in the back of the truck that began releasing a white gas. The chemicals had spilled and mixed in the truck bed, including chlorine.
North Elk Chattaroy Road was closed from East Big Meadows Road to East Russell Road. U.S. Highway 2 was not affected.
The Washington Department of Ecology and the City of Spokane Hazmat team were en route to identify the other chemicals, determine whether the spill was contained to the truck, and begin cleanup.
No injuries have been reported.
