THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, May 22, 1996 TAG: 9605220267
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: HAMPTON LENGTH: 23 lines
Activation of a chemical fire extinguisher system in two rooms of a computer center at Langley Air Force Base Tuesday afternoon injured 15 and forced the evacuation of 400 people, 1st Fighter Wing officials said.
Five of the 15 were treated and released on the spot, said Staff Sgt. Steve Marciniak, a spokesman. The remaining 10 - seven members of the Air Force and three civilian workers - were taken to 1st Medical Group Hospital for treatment and observation, where they were initially listed in stable condition. By 6 p.m., all had been release, Marciniak said.
Spokesman Maj. Ed Worley said the 15 workers inhaled Halon 1301, a colorless fire-extinguishing agent that puts out fires through a chemical reaction. Exposure to the gas, Worley said, causes a burning sensation in the respiratory tract, similar to smoke inhalation.
No fire was reported. The cause of the system activation is under investigation, Worley said.
KEYWORDS: ACCIDENT GENERAL INJURIES GAS LEAK by CNB