Hazmat Emergency Followed By Two Concord Fires

CONCORD, CA — A hazardous fluorine leak triggered the evacuation of a Concord industrial facility, sending specialized hazmat crews into the building to track down and stop the leak.

The incident on Monday marked the start of a busy stretch for Contra Costa firefighters, who also responded to two separate house fires in Concord on Tuesday and Wednesday, including one blaze that required crews to cut through a roof to reach flames burning inside and another involving five dogs and four kittens.

Shortly before 11:40 a.m. Monday, Contra Costa Fire crews responded to a hazardous materials alarm at a Concord facility after employees reported a fluorine leak alarm had activated inside the building. Workers evacuated immediately before firefighters arrived.

Firefighters assembled a specialized hazmat team, and entered the facility wearing protective equipment to locate the source of the leak.

Once the crew checked the air throughout the building, and isolated the leak, they shut down the affected valve.

A second entry team later completed additional monitoring and confirmed air readings had returned to zero, indicating the leak had been fully controlled and the building atmosphere was safe.

Firefighters also completed decontamination procedures before leaving the scene. Crews used a Tiger Paw decontamination system and paper indicator testing to verify no hazardous contamination remained on personnel or equipment. No injuries were reported.

The incident came amid two other significant fire responses in Concord.

On Tuesday, firefighters knocked down a house fire in the 1800 block of Andrews Drive.

Then on Wednesday, crews were on the scene of a home in the 1300 block of Babel Lane. Firefighters cut through the roof to attack flames believed to have been burning in the living room, according to reports.

Two ambulances were requested shortly after the fire was reported at 11:07 a.m. Four adults were believed to have been displaced by the fire, News 24-680 reported.

Animal Control officers were also requested to assist with five dogs and four kittens recovered from inside the home. However, officials later determined their services were not needed and canceled the request, News 24-680 reported.