Central Phoenix drivers on Thomas Road ran into flashing lights and barricades Friday evening as a large emergency response shut down the stretch near Central Avenue. Firefighters evacuated nearby buildings and blocked traffic while hazmat teams checked the air for danger.
According to 12News, Phoenix Fire Department officials upgraded the call to a second-alarm hazardous-materials incident. Crews were metering for a suspected carbon monoxide leak while carrying out evacuations. Thomas Road was closed between Central Avenue and 3rd Street as responders managed the scene, the outlet reported.
Hazmat response and carbon monoxide risks
In situations like this, hazmat teams use portable gas detectors to “meter” the air and measure gas concentrations before deciding whether an area is safe to reoccupy. Per the Phoenix Fire Department, crews follow established protocols for hazardous-materials calls, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless and can cause headache, dizziness, nausea or worse at high levels.
Road closures and neighborhood impact
The closures snarled traffic near downtown and prompted police to set up detours while crews worked. As 12News reported, firefighters remained on scene to investigate and to try to make the area safe for residents and motorists.
What residents should do
If you live or work in the area, follow directions from police or fire personnel and avoid the immediate scene until officials clear it. Anyone experiencing symptoms such as headache, confusion or shortness of breath after potential exposure should seek medical attention, per the CDC.
The Phoenix Fire Department and city agencies had not released a cause as of the initial report, and officials asked people to avoid the area while crews worked. This story will be updated when officials provide more details.
