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Duluth Fire Department crews respond to call of possible chlorine on 300 block of S Lake Avenue

[DULUTH, MN] At 9:29 AM, Duluth Fire Department responded to a call of a possible chlorine gas presence at 325 S Lake Avenue. Crews responded to The Suites in Canal Park, and upon initial investigation of the pool utility room in the basement of the building, proceeded to evacuate the first floor and basement of the building as a precaution while they evaluated the scene further. Some residents were allowed to shelter in place with crews monitoring air quality on during the incident.

Low levels of chlorine gas were detected after investigation of a pool chemical spill in the pool utility room. Crews from the chemical assessment team (CAT31) mitigated the spill and ventilated the building to remove the gas. Staff and residents were allowed back into the building around 1:00 PM. Roads are open again after being closed to traffic on the 300 block of S Lake Avenue. There is no ongoing public safety issue stemming from the incident.

The Duluth Fire Department is one of Minnesota’s eleven Hazardous Materials Response Teams.  Our team responds out of Duluth Fire Station #7 in a 40-foot rig named CAT31.  While staffed with Duluth firefighters, the rig and all hazmat response equipment is provided by the State of Minnesota.  Hazmat response team duties include hazard assessment, technical assistance, and reasonable mitigation.  The State Fire Marshal’s Office coordinates special operations response teams including Hazardous Materials, Bomb Squads, Urban Search and Rescue, and the Minnesota Air Rescue Team. 

Duluth Fire Department thanks the residents and staff of the building for their patience and cooperation during the incident. Thanks, as well, go to St. Louis County 911 Dispatch, Duluth Police Department, Mayo Ambulance, and Duluth Public Works and Utilities crews for their assistance in the response.

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