A quiet Monday afternoon in Newport Beach turned into an emergency response scene when hazardous materials were discovered inside a garage, prompting street closures, evacuations, and a coordinated response from multiple fire departments.
The situation began around 2:18 p.m. at a residence on Carnation Avenue, where Newport Beach firefighters initially responded to a medical emergency. Upon entering the property, crews encountered a strong chemical odor and quickly determined that a dangerous mix of household chemicals was off gassing inside the garage. Authorities later confirmed the mixture involved chlorine bleach and ammonia, which combined to release toxic fumes.
Emergency crews from Huntington Beach Fire and Anaheim Fire & Rescue were called in to assist Newport Beach Fire Department’s hazmat team. Streets near Corona del Mar, including stretches of Carnation Avenue, Pacific Coast Highway, and Bayside Drive, were closed off as officials urged residents to stay indoors or evacuate.
The information posted by the Newport Beach Fire Department on their Instagram page:
During the incident, firefighters rescued one resident and a dog from the home’s third floor, both of whom were reported stable. A second individual was transported to a nearby hospital for evaluation. Mayor Joe Stapleton emphasized that the incident did not appear criminal in nature but carried the potential for explosiveness given the chemicals stored inside a barrel. By 4:55 p.m., the scene was declared safe and streets were gradually reopened.
The Hidden Dangers in Your Garage
The Newport Beach incident is a reminder of the risks that come with storing hazardous materials in a garage, a space where people often keep paints, solvents, cleaners, pesticides, fuels, and other chemicals. Experts recommend the following safety practices for storing hazardous materials in your home:
- Always store chemicals in their original containers with intact labels. Avoid transferring them into unlabeled jars or bottles, which can lead to dangerous mistakes.
- Keep chemicals such as bleach and ammonia apart. When stored together or accidentally mixed, they can release toxic gases. Fuels, fertilizers, and pool chemicals should also be stored separately.
- A well-ventilated garage prevents fumes from building up. You can install vents on your garage door or garage walls or keep a window open when you’re working with chemicals.
- Many hazardous materials degrade in the heat, which can cause leaks, fumes, carbon monoxide poisoning, fire or even explosion. Since garages can get quite hot in the summer, store hazardous materials in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
- Place liquid containers in trays or bins to catch spills before they spread across the garage floor.
How Chemicals Affect Garage Doors
Improperly stored chemicals don’t just pose health risks; they can also damage garage doors. Strong fumes and corrosive substances can corrode metal hardware, strip paint finishes, and discolor or weaken fiberglass or wood surfaces. For example, door tracks, torsion systems, bearings, cables, and springs are vulnerable to rust, which can eventually eat through the steel.
Certain chemicals can break down the insulation inside insulated garage doors, causing them to lose their energy-efficient properties. Over time, the effects of improperly stored chemicals can shorten the door’s lifespan and lead to higher garage door repair and maintenance costs.
