Colorado Springs East Cimarron Street Hazmat Incident
Colorado Springs Chemical Leak
At 06:27 on May 22nd, 2023 Colorado Springs Public Safety Communications alerted the Colorado Springs Fire Department to a reported chemical spill in the 500 block of E. Cimarron St. Upon arrival, crews found a dark-colored chemical flowing from the building and into the street. Firefighters were able to quickly create a safety zone around the area and waited for the HazMat Team to arrive. Prior to the arrival of responders, construction workers were able to create dirt dams and used absorbent booms to stop the spill from getting into the storm drains. As crews investigated the scene further they were able to find evidence of a fire that caused several barrels containing various chemicals to melt and leak. It was difficult to determine the number of chemicals that were leaking, but the HazMat Team was able to determine Chromium Trioxide, Sulfuric Acid, and Nitric Acid were some of the chemicals that leaked. Once the spill was mitigated the building was handed over to the owners around 12:45 with no reported injuries to responders or community members. Additional information was provided by the Colorado Springs Fire Department.
Initial Assignment: Battalion 1, Engine 1 & Hazmat 14
Working Incident: Decon 20
Colorado Springs Utilities