houston – A cleanup operation is currently underway at Houston’s Bush Intercontinental Airport after an accident that caused firefighting foam to fill a hangar and spill onto a nearby road.
Cars parked nearby were covered in several feet of foam.
Sources say the bubbles also pose a threat to nearby bayous.
The problem was caused by a malfunction in the fire extinguishing system inside the United Airlines hangar. The incident occurred around 5:30 a.m. and involved the inadvertent release of biodegradable, PFAS-free firefighting foam.
Houston Fire Department and Houston Public Works personnel, along with teams from United Airlines and the Houston Airport, are currently on site cleaning up the area.
At 1:45 p.m., the fire department dispatched two HAZMAT trucks to the scene.
At a news conference Thursday afternoon, fire officials said a solution was being applied that “eats away the foam and causes it to disappear.”
Houston Airport’s public information office provided a statement to KPRC 2, assuring the public that travelers traveling to and from Busch Airport are not affected.
KPRC 2 reporter Corey Peele, who broadcast the scene live, said it was an “incredible sight” with the bubbles reaching a considerable height. At least a dozen employees are reportedly trapped inside the hangar due to the bubbles, unable to leave the building.
One employee shared his experience with unexpected foam release. “As we exited the door on this side of the building, there was foam pouring off the edge of the building. As it crossed the ramp, it looked like a lava flow,” he said. “I have been in the aviation industry for 36 years and have heard of fire extinguishers going off, but I have never been present,” he added.
Michael Shar is a sheet metal engineer. He told KPRC 2 reporter Corey Peele that he was inside the hangar when the bubbles started flowing.
“One of our employees came over and asked if we wanted to see something that looked crazy. We went out to the side of the building and saw foam coming out all the way to the edge of the building, coming out like a lava flow. ” Sharp said.
Sharp said the bubbles were moving at several miles per hour.
“I saw it rolling around, just like those pictures of lava flows you see on TV in Hawaii. It looks really wild. I’ve been in the aviation industry for 36 years. The story was that the fire extinguisher went off. I’ve heard of it, but I’ve never been there,” Sharp said.
HFD officials said the foam is not toxic.
“This is a new form that we call PFA’s free. So it should be safer for the environment and non-carcinogenic, but we’re still working to protect the environment, including our waterways.” “There is no cause for concern for the public at this time. There is no threat to public safety,” said Michael Maia, HFD’s director of operations.
The bubbles spread 100 yards in each direction from the building and reached up to 30 feet in height, HFD said.
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