Fuel Leak Routs 160 at Edwards AFB Site
About 160 people were evacuated from an area at the F-16 test site at Edwards Air Force Base Wednesday when a gallon of toxic hydrazine fuel leaked out of a storage tank, authorities reported.
Although 19 of the evacuees were taken to the base hospital for observation, there did not appear to be any serious aftereffects, Sgt. Lorri Wray reported.
Fumes from the leak spread over a 1,500-square-foot area and some employees whose cars were in the vicinity were bused home as cleanup operations continued through the night.
The substance, which is highly flammable, can present a severe health hazard if inhaled deeply or absorbed by the skin, Wray said.
Cause of the accident was under investigation.
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