Downtown Tampa Chemical Fume Alert Cleared

Update 11:18 a.m. Aug. 8: The Tampa Police Department has given an all-clear for downtown Tampa.

"Tampa Fire Rescue has extinguished a small fire in a silo that caused the chemical fumes," police department spokeswoman Laura McElroy wrote in an email to media. "The situation is under control and all fumes have dissipated."

McElroy said there's no longer a need for folks to "shelter in place."

Earlier:

Chemical fumes coming from the Port of Tampa have city authorities asking folks to stay inside or stay away as emergency crews work to identify the source of the fumes and contain them.

“Residents of Channelside and Harbour Island are encouraged to stay indoors,” Tampa Police Department spokeswoman Laura McElroy wrote in an email to media. “They may experience irritation of the eyes, nose and respiratory track, which can lead to headaches and dizziness.”

McElroy’s email was sent at 10:42 a.m. Aug. 8 as the situation was unfolding.

It is unclear at this time what is causing the fumes.

Stay with Patch for updates as they become available.