Emergency crews rushed to the 300 block of North Duke Street in Durham on Friday evening after a report of a hazardous substance, drawing a sizable response but ending with a collective sigh of relief. Durham Fire's hazardous-materials team, the Durham County Sheriff's Hazardous Disposal Unit and Durham Police all responded, and officials said no one was hurt.
HazMat team identifies and contains substance
Responders were dispatched just after 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 27, when Durham Fire said its hazardous-materials team quickly identified and contained the substance before the Durham County Sheriff's Office Hazardous Disposal Unit stepped in to dispose of it as a precaution, according to CBS17. Durham Police helped secure the area while crews worked the scene.
Officials report no injuries
Wayne Cheek of Durham Fire told CBS17 that "no one was injured as a result of the call." Crews stayed on site for a short period to handle cleanup and double-check that the area was safe before clearing out.
A reminder of downtown risks
For many downtown Durham residents and business owners, any hazardous-materials call is a reminder of how quickly things can turn serious. The area is still marked by memories of a 2019 gas explosion that damaged multiple buildings and killed two people, an incident and aftermath detailed by ABC11.
What residents should do
After the substance was disposed of and the site checked out, crews cleared the scene and officials reported no ongoing danger in the area. Authorities say that if you come across suspicious powders, liquids or unusual chemical odors in Durham, you should call 911 and let trained hazardous-materials teams handle it.
