The Idaho Falls Fire Department and Idaho Falls Police Department were dispatched on Jan. 30, 2020 at approximately 9:43 a.m.for a hazmat call near a business located at 250 S. Boulevard. A shipping truck had a chemical spill from the truck onto the parking lot that was located by a dock near the building. The chemical was identified as sodium hydroxide.

Responders quickly contained the chemical in the area of the spill and created an approximate 150-foot barrier around the spill. There was no threat to the public. One person was checked out by emergency responders as a precautionary measure but was released shortly thereafter. There were no injuries. The business was evacuated as a safety precaution. No surrounding businesses or homes were evacuated. There were minimal road closures, including Chestnut Street and N. Eastern Avenue. S. Boulevard remained open. The Region 7 Hazardous Material Response Team responded and mitigated the spill. 

The hazmat team made entry and ensured the damage was contained to a single container. The business and roads were reopened at approximately 1:00 p.m. The transportation company involved in the incident made contact with their contractor for cleanup.  IFPD and IFFD returned to service.

Media Contact: Kerry Hammon, Public Information Officer, Idaho Falls Fire Department, (208) 612-8122, [email protected].