Major 'Foam Malfunction' at Bay Area Airport

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA – UPDATE: FRIDAY, NOV.18, 2:30 p.m.

Large amounts of white foam have spilled from a hangar near Mineta San Jose International Airport and blanketed a street in Santa Clara this afternoon, a fire official said.

The non-hazardous fire suppression foam came from a hangar that malfunctioned on airport property to the east end of Martin Avenue, fire Battalion Chief Drew Miller said.

The fire department was first notified of the spill shortly before 1:30 p.m., but the incident started well before then, he said.

A city hazardous materials team was sent to the scene with San Jose fire crews, Miller said.

Officers from San Jose and Santa Clara are also controlling traffic in the area, according to Miller.

Crews are waiting for the foam to dissipate, but that is expected to take a while given the magnitude of the spill, the chief said.

A waste operations company is expected to be involved in the extensive clean up operation, according to the chief.

Miller didn't know how much foam leaked, but estimated the bubbles stood about 3-and-a-half feet tall.

No injuries have been reported.

The roadway was taped off to the public and orange traffic cones were set up in front of the foam. The public is advised to avoid Martin Avenue east of Lafayette Boulevard.

----------------------------

ORIGINAL POST: FRIDAY, NOV. 18, 2:18 p.m.

A malfunction has been reported at Mineta San Jose International Airport, causing firefighting foam to ooze across airport property and spill into nearby streets.

No foam was being generated as of about 1:30 p.m., but crews are assessing how to clean up the mess. The foam is nontoxic, according to airport officials, but could cause skin irritation.

The mess comes as travelers begin their Thanksgiving getaways.

Firefighting foam released from back of @FlySJC hangar is blowing around in the wind. It looks like soap, but I wouldn't advise touching it. pic.twitter.com/fDI3j0gmP7
— Jonathan Bloom (@BloomTV) November" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/BloomTV/st... 18, 2016

<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The foam appears to have stopped pouring out of the @FlySJC hangar vents. Cleanup crew is said to be on the way. pic.twitter.com/8zAiesuyJM
— Jonathan Bloom (@BloomTV) November" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/BloomTV/st... 18, 2016

<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

• ALSO SEE: San Jose Airport Expecting 15% Boost In Thanksgiving Travelers (Hint: Arrive Early)

--Post by Bay City News and Bea Karnes, Patch staff/Patch file image