Fort Collins — The Poudre Fire Authority Administration Building was evacuated this afternoon on the report of a chemical spill, officials said.
About 4 p.m., hazardous materials workers responded to the building at 102 Remington St. where four employees were directly exposed to a chemical released from an antique fire extinguisher. In all, 15 people had to be evacuated.
The extinguisher was accidentally dropped on the floor, breaking the glass vessel in which the liquid chemical Carbon Tetrachloride had been contained. The chemical is an inhalation and ingestion hazard, along with being a carcinogen, fire officials said.
The chemical was used in fire extinguishers until the early 1970’s when it was banned by the federal government for use in consumer products due to health hazards.
No injuries were reported, but one employee was advised to go to a nearby hospital for further evaluation.
