MUSKEGON, Mich. — It was a scary moment in Muskegon Tuesday afternoon. Businesses near Roberts Street and Barney Avenue were told to evacuate.
Hours later, crews gave the all clear.
The warning came after a suspicious foam was spotted nearby.
An area worker told me the foam was all over the place during the morning hours.
I walked down by the creek and you could see foam in several places. I'm told it was much worse earlier in the day.
“It was a very unique smell,” recalls Architectural Hardware President Mike Mumper. “It was, to be honest … portions of it smelled kind of like bleach, or like a cleaning chemical. So that's why it wasn't too, I mean … it wasn't like a, you know, burning your skin or your eyes type thing.”
Muskegon Police Chief Tim Kozal says his understanding it is fire foam.
The city’s police and fire departments were out, along with their hazmat teams.
The chief says they didn't know what the foam was at first, adding there was concern about potentially hazardous chemicals.
American Chemical Solutions (ACS) had a business on Roberts Street next to Trinity Health Muskegon Hospital.
This ACS location is now closed.
The chief says it appears that an empty tank tilted, setting off the fire foam system.
“Foam really isn't a cleanup situation,” says Chief Tim Kozal. “It's more of a dissipate situation. I don't believe that our hazmat will be doing anything actually referenced (cleanup).”
The chief explains he understands this foam didn't have PFAS in it. He says they also did air quality testing, and all readings appeared fine.
The chief says the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) was notified.
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