West Metro Freon Leak

Keith Kahler Photo ©

On February 10th, 2023 at 16:10 Jeffcom 911 dispatched West Metro Fire Rescue and Arvada Fire Protection District to a reported structure fire at the King Soopers, 5301 W. 38th Ave. in Wheat Ridge. Engine 16 arrived to a large grocery store with nothing showing and found no smoke or fire and cancelled the structure fire response. Crews inside did find a Freon leak and requested a hazmat response and the store was evacuated. District 1 arrived and assumed command on the Alpha side. Engine 1 with Medic 1 assisted in the investigation on the Charlie side and Medic 16 assigned as medical group. Crews worked to ventilate the building which took an extended time. Freon is heavier than air and displaces oxygen and is why it’s potentially dangerous. Firefighters were successfully in ventilating the Freon from the building and was turned over to King Soopers management. Additional information provided by West Metro Fire Rescue

Units on Scene:

West Metro: District 1, SAM 1, Engine 16, Medic 16, Engine 1, Medic 1, Medic 11, Medic 2, Tower 2 & Bureau 7

Special Call: Engine 5, HazMat 5, Medic 5, Engine 2 & HazMat 1 (AJHZ)

Arvada: Battalion Chief 51 (Cancelled), Battalion Chief 52 (Cancelled), Engine 51 & Engine 52 (Cancelled)

Special Call: Truck 54 & HazMat 54

Wheat Ridge Police Department