The San Francisco Fire Department investigated suspected hazardous materials this morning at a Salvation Army building on Valencia Street between Cesar Chavez and 26th. Some 120 people were evacuated by the fire department from the 1500 Valencia Street building, which is a mixed-use residential and office space housing a rehabilitation center and donation intake.
Helicopters circled overhead as the police cordoned off Valencia Street from Cesar Chavez to 26th. A group of 50 evacuees were held at the corner of Cesar Chavez and Guerrero while firefighters inside the building searched for the source of a chemical odor reported by Salvation Army staff.
“We think it’s probably pepper spray. Someone opened a box and people got irritated,” said Division Chief Kirk Richardson, adding that crews ruled out any danger early on.”We’ve had our hazmat teams go inside, they haven’t found anything. They’ve ruled out any danger, we’re just waiting to find that box.”
Laine Hendricks, a Salvation Army spokesperson, said staff on site reported the chemical emanated from a donated item.
“Someone must have discharged it,” Richardson said.
One employee said “It was mace” when asked what had set off the odor, and another said an alarm was activated in the building shortly afterwards.
“I just vacated my place when the alarm went off,” she said.
Richardson said fire department personnel medically evaluated 14 people after the evacuation but that no one was transported or hospitalized.
ABC7 reports firefighters initially responded to the call just after 10 a.m. this morning, and about two hours later the ordeal was over and people were being allowed back into the building.
“We’re ventilating the building with fans, and everyone’s going to be allowed back in,” he continued. Large fans were brought in to do the job, and by 12:10 p.m. those evacuated were being returned and traffic had resumed.
