BERKELEY — Residents within a roughly one-block radius of the intersection of Colusa and Tacoma avenues in the Thousand Oaks area were told Monday morning to either shelter in place or leave the area while some potentially volatile old photography lab chemicals were to be removed from a home, authorities said.
Residents were told they should prepare to be out of the area or inside their homes the entire day, or until an all-clear is posted on the city’s emergency communications channels.
The house containing the hazardous materials is in the 800 block of Colusa Avenue. The resident contacted authorities on Friday about the chemicals and was advised to leave the home at that time. The plan to removed the chemicals was put in place over the weekend.
Streets that were to be closed include 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 San Pedro Avenue (westbound) between Laurel Lane and Colusa Avenue.
.An advisory notice said the order was for safety reasons as Berkeley firefighters, police and neighboring agencies “protect the area and remove home photography lab chemicals that have become toxic, heat-sensitive, and volatile.” One in particular is picric acid, authorities said. Because of the potential volatility of that and other chemicals, bomb squad officers were on scene as well as hazardous materials personnel.
The advisory said residents should ensure they have signed up all phone numbers in their home for AC Alert, the city’s emergency alert system, which sends text and email updates. AC Alert will be used to send updates on this incident as well as the final all-clear message. Residents who leave will not be able to come and go until the removal is complete.
Those who need a place to stay until the order is lifted may go to the James Kenney Community Center, 1720 8th Street. Pet services will be available at the center and owners should bring the pet’s food, leash/harness, medications, and any other items needed to care for the pet.
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