The Berkeley Police Department has announced road closures in the Thousand Oaks neighborhood due to the discovery and removal of hazardous materials at a residence on the 800 block of Colusa Avenue. According to the Berkeley Police Department, Colusa Avenue between San Lorenzo Avenue and San Pedro Avenue, Capistrano Avenue between Ensenada Avenue and Laurel Lane, Tacoma Avenue between Ensenada Avenue and Laurel Lane, and westbound traffic on San Pedro Avenue between Laurel Lane and Colusa Avenue will be affected. Residents and travelers are advised to plan alternative routes and avoid the area.
Concurrently, a shelter-in-place order has been issued for the immediate vicinity of the discovery. "Residents within a roughly one-block radius of the intersection of Colusa and Tacoma avenues in North Berkeley should shelter in place or leave the area," a statement on the City of Berkeley's official website claimed. The urgent directive, intended to last at least the rest of the day, comes amid efforts by emergency services to manage and remove toxic chemicals from a private home. The City encourages residents to sign up for AC Alert for ongoing updates.
According to SFGate's coverage, the substance identified as picric acid, a component often used in older photography labs, was found last Friday and is known to be highly flammable and toxic, sensitive to the combination of heat and movement. Police Officer Byron White told SFGate that about two liters of this chemical were discovered, leading to the consequent evacuation of the home's residents and those from adjacent houses.
The Berkeley Police Department, Berkeley Fire Department, and adjacent agencies are actively handling the situation, which has also prompted the shutdown of Thousand Oaks Elementary School for the day. The City of Berkeley has activated its Emergency Operations Center to coordinate response efforts across various departments. For those in the affected area, once emergency crews issue an all-clear, authorities will grant re-entry. Residents are also reminded, "to bring your pet’s food, leash/harness, medications, and any other items you might need to care for your pet," emphasizing the precautionary measures being taken.
