Unknown Chemical Causes HAZMAT Scare At Scott Air Force Base In Illinois

RSOE EDIS
August 31, 2011

Three people were taken to a hospital, and emergency responders put 13 others through decontamination at Scott Air Force base over fears they might have been exposed to an unknown chemical described as smelling like sulfur.

Those treated at a hospital have been released and Col. Michael Hornitschek said “there’s no threat to the local community.” Three people at the post office on base reported either trouble breathing, a rash or both about 9 a.m. Wednesday, according to Hornitschek.

They told authorities about a package they thought was suspicious. The post office and other nearby buildings were evacuated; Hornitschek said that effected fewer than 100 people.

The three, an airman and two post office employees, were taken to a hospital, treated and released, Hornitschek said. Another person later reported respitory problems, but was examined at Scott and released without being taken to a hospital, he said. Thirteen people went through decontamination at the base.

The package has been “isolated,” Hornitschek said.

“We have eyes on it,” he said, but declined to elaborate. Radio traffic between authorities indicated the package was among mail destined for military personnel on the base.

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The FBI had been notified and was helping investigate the situation, Hornitschek said, though he noted that is standard procedure. He said nothing had been ruled out and said he would not speculate whether or not the incident stemmed from a deliberate act or was some sort of accident or leak of mailed material.

The base, where between 12,000 and 14,000 military personnel and civilians work each day, never closed, he said. Most buildings are again open, barring the post office and a nearby Burger King. “At this time, life and business continues as normal,” Hornitschek said.

“There’s no threat to the local community to our knowledge.” A staging area was set up at a bowling alley on West Martin Street. People were advised to come to the decontamination tent if they were experiencing trouble breathing or rashes. A public address system was used to make that announcement base-wide, noting that this was not an excercise.

As many as four firefighters were overcome by the heat while responding to the incident and were being evaluated for heat-related problems.

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