Vapor Incident in Fortuna

A new hazardous materials incident involving vapor has been reported to the California Office of Emergency Services.

According to a report published by the office, the incident took place at or near merchant/business in Fortuna at around 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 13.

About 125 Lbs.s of a substance described as “freon” were released to the environment, according to the person who called in the report.

Here’s the description of the incident that was recorded by the Office of Emergency Services:

RP advised that while an employee was cleaning a refrigerator cage he/she accidentally punctured a Freon line, causing the release of Freon into the atmosphere. The Fire Department responded, evacuating about 50 employees and customers combine. The release has since been stopped and the store has been reopened.

This was the first hazardous materials incident recorded by the Office of Emergency Services in the Fortuna area this year and the first vapor spill in the county overall.