Hazmat crews packed into the 10 block of Denny Way after a carbon dioxide alarm sent occupants streaming out of a downtown building, according to the Seattle Fire Department. Firefighters and HazMat technicians moved in to check the air and secure the scene while people waited outside as a precaution. The department shared an early update as crews worked to pin down what triggered the alarm.
In a post on X, the Seattle Fire Department said teams were handling a “hazmat reduced” call in the 10 block of Denny Way, with a carbon dioxide alarm sounding inside and occupants already evacuated. The notice went up at 06:13 UTC and confirmed that firefighters were still investigating, with no source yet identified in that update.
What a Carbon Dioxide Alarm Can Mean
Carbon dioxide is colorless and odorless, and at elevated levels it can bring on headaches, dizziness and, at very high concentrations, loss of consciousness, according to OSHA. Workplace exposure limits are set to help protect people from both short bursts of high exposure and lower, longer-term exposure.
As outlined by Seattle Fire Department Special Operations, hazmat crews rely on gas detection monitors and decontamination gear to measure air quality, ventilate affected spaces and keep both occupants and responders safe…