Eugene Springfield Fire responds to hazardous materials incident after chemical reaction overheats industrial equipment and releases gases

Eugene, OR – Eugene Springfield Fire crews responded to a hazardous materials incident at an industrial facility in West Eugene on Thursday after a chemical reaction caused mixing equipment to overheat, produce smoke and release gases.

Firefighters were dispatched shortly before 10:45 a.m. to the 600 block of McKinley Street following reports of an industrial fire. The incident was later stabilized, and officials said there was no ongoing threat to the surrounding community or neighboring businesses.

According to Eugene Springfield Fire, the incident began when a piece of batch-mixing equipment experienced a chemical reaction that caused the product inside the vessel to overheat, smoke and release gases.

Fire alarms were activated, and employees evacuated the building immediately. Facility staff also initiated established emergency response procedures and notified the fire department.

When firefighters arrived, they found the mixing vessel smoking and shifted from an industrial fire response to a hazardous materials operation.

Additional firefighters and the department’s Hazardous Materials Team were brought in to assist. The team is part of the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Region 2 Hazardous Materials Response Team, which responds to incidents involving potentially dangerous substances.

Firefighters monitored the vessel’s temperature and the building’s systems as the chemical reaction continued. Fire suppression equipment remained on standby throughout the operation in case conditions deteriorated.

The reaction took slightly more than an hour to fully stabilize. Officials said monitored conditions remained well below critical risk thresholds throughout the incident.

With the reaction stabilized, crews began ventilating the building and working with facility staff to safely restore normal operations. Firefighters who worked inside the building while monitoring conditions are also undergoing decontamination procedures.

Eugene Springfield Fire said crews would remain at the scene as needed to complete safety operations and assist the facility with its return to normal activities.

Officials emphasized that the incident no longer poses an ongoing threat to people in the surrounding area or to nearby businesses.

Questions regarding the facility or the incident can be directed to Arclin at [email protected].