(Red Oak) Red Oak Fire Chief John Bruce learned a resident at the Southern Iowa Rural Housing Apartments used an insecticide spray within their apartment, causing the chemical smell emanating from inside the building.
The Red Oak Fire Department responded to the scene at around 2:46 p.m. and reported a chemical odor coming from inside the apartment building, forcing the evacuation of the property management staff and residents.
Firefighters deployed its gas/air monitoring equipment but reported no readings. MidAmerican Utilities gas/air monitoring equipment did not provide a readout either.
Bruce says they checked the structure for a possible chemical spill or improper chemicals being mixed and found nothing. Fire crews ventilated the building eliminating the odor, and property management staff and residents were allowed to re-enter the apartment.
Chief Bruce says one resident was examined at the scene. There were no injuries to first responders.
Red Oak Police, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Montgomery County Communications, MidAmerican Utilities, and Montgomery County Emergency Management assisted the Red Oak Fire Department at the scene.
