DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — Danville’s Meijer was evacuated on Saturday afternoon for a Freon leak, the fire department said.
The Danville Fire Department’s Hazardous Response Team arrived at Meijer around 2:15 p.m. on Saturday.
Emergency team members arrived at the location dressed in hazmat suits, entered the building, and confirmed that a pipe had ruptured, causing a Freon leak. To ventilate the area, they placed large fans at the entrance and measured the air quality to ensure it was safe for customers to come back inside.
Freon is typically used as a coolant in both refrigerators and air conditioning systems, but it can be hazardous in high quantities or with prolonged exposure. The Environmental Protection Agency notes that Freon is being gradually eliminated from AC systems due to its negative impact on the environment.
The Danville Fire Department was able to clear the scene around 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. No injuries were reported.
