Chemical smoke from Orleans fire prompts evacuation; 3 people treated for smoke inhalation
UPDATE 3:45 p.m.: Residents near the 1700 block of Ishi-Pishi Road north of Orleans who were evacuated due to chemical-laden smoke caused by a nearby structure fire at a fumigated house are still not allowed to return to their homes, according to Peggi Lawrence of the U.S. Forest Service.The fire is currently active with CalFire acting as lead agency for the incident, Lawrence said.
County Environmental Health personnel were also en route to the scene, according to Department of Health and Human Services Public Information Manager Heather Muller.
More information will posted when it becomes available.
PREVIOUSLY: Neighbors near a chemically fumigated house on the 1700 block of Ishi-Pishi Road north of Orleans are being evacuated after the house caught fire after 10 a.m. this morning, according to U.S. Forest Service Public Information Officer Peggi Lawrence.
The house was tented and being fumigated with the chemical sulfuryl fluoride by a private company, Lawrence said. Lawrence said the company was either taking the tents down or preparing to in order to air out the house when the fire started.
“I don’t know how the fire started, but a fire started,” Lawrence said.
U.S. Forest Service officials are evacuating neighbors near the house as the smoke from the house contains harmful chemicals.
The owner was not home at the time of the fire, but has been notified. Lt. Dennis Young of the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office said three people were in the house at the time of the fire and are currently being treated for inhaling hazardous chemical fumes.
The county Department of Health and Human Services Environmental Health Division has also been called to the scene to assist, Young said. Young said he did not know how many people were being evacuated from the area.
Calls to CalFire for more information were not immediately returned.