Mall Shoppers Are Evacuated for Toxic Spill
A small hazardous spill in Oxnard resulted in the evacuation of employees and customers from part of a shopping mall and the closing of two highway ramps for about half an hour Friday.
The evacuation from HomeBase, Sports Chalet and several other stores happened after a truck driver delivering cleaning supplies to HomeBase was overcome by fumes about noon, authorities said. The CHP temporarily closed the exit ramps at Rice and Rose avenues to prevent drivers from reaching the site.
The driver was delivering a load when he noticed a noxious smell emanating from his truck, Oxnard Firefighter Bill Scobey said. The man, whom authorities declined to identify, opened his cargo door and was hit by fumes from about three gallons of spilled cleaning solvents, Scobey said.
The driver called 911, and rescue personnel decided to block off the area and evacuate the stores.
The driver, who had complained of facial burning and a swelling tongue, was treated and released from St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard.
About 50 members of the Ventura County regional hazardous materials team were called to clean up the site.
“It was overkill, but you never know,” Scobey said.
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