Accident At Crematorium Sends Human Ashes Into South Bay Air

NATIONAL CITY, CA – A furnace mishap at a crematorium in National City caused smoke containing human ashes to blow over the South Bay, near the interchange of Interstate 5 and state Route 54 Thursday, authorities reported.

National City firefighters were called to Cortez Cremations and Funeral Services around 12:18 p.m. after an over door failed to close while the furnace was in use, according to fire department officials. The building at 100 West 35th St. filled with smoke, which billowed out of the chimney.

Smoke also escaped into the business before an automated system shut off the furnace, extinguished the fire and sent a chemical air-cleansing agent into the building, said Frank Parra, director of emergency services for the city alongside San Diego Bay.

The smoke contained human remains, National City Fire Captain Brian Krebs confirmed.

The accident caused no structural damage or injuries and necessitated no evacuations or road closures, according to Parra. The release of smoke was not believed to have posed any health risks, he said.

Firefighters used large fans to clear the errant air impurities out of the building, Parra said.

The personnel cleared the scene after about 45 minutes.

"It was mitigated pretty quick," Parra said.

It was unclear if the accident resulted from an equipment problem or was due to operator error.

By City News Service; Kristina Houck/Patch contributed to this report.

Image via Patch