2 Hazmat Gas Leaks Injure 8 In Northeast Denver

DENVER, CO – Eight people were transported to hospitals, dozens were evacuated and several schools kept students and staff indoors when two different gas leaks were reported within blocks of each other in Northeast Denver Friday morning.

A chlorine gas leak was reported around 10:40 a.m at an industrial building at 3910 Joliet Street. The leak caused a plume of bleach-smelling yellow gas that sickened seven people, including one critically, near Havana Street. Safety systems at the business closed down the equipment and stopped the leaks, officials said. Businesses in the area were evacuated.

At almost the same time, the smell of natural gas was reported near a school in the 11200 block of E. 45th Street, Denver Fire Captain Greg Pixley said. A child was transported to Children's Hospital from the second scene in non-critical condition, fire fighters said. Three others were treated on the scene. Several other schools nearby kept students inside.

"[Chlorine leaks] are very dangerous," said Pixley. The department initially did not know that there were two incidents, and thought it could be one multi-block hazmat situation, Pixley said. The Denver Office of Emergency Management was initially activated. "We are considering these two separate incidents," he said.

As of 12:30, schools were back to normal operations nearby. Health workers were evaluating people who had been evacuated for respiratory problems, officials said.

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Image via Denver Fire Dept.

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