BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — At approximately 6:38 a.m., Kern County Fire Department dispatch received reports of a chemical leak. Engine 41 arrived to find a vapor cloud over Virginia Avenue near a facility with chemical storage tanks. Firefighters established a perimeter around the affected area, and law enforcement closed the roadway while crews assessed the hazard. The Kern County Fire Department Hazardous Materials Response Team and Kern County Environmental Health also responded.

Facility personnel confirmed that the leak involved a hydrochloric acid storage tank. As a precaution, the Kern County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) issued a shelter-in-place order for zone KRN-421 while crews addressed the leak.

Facility personnel transferred material from the tank into separate containers and took steps to neutralize the spill. The HazMat team prepared to assist with a rescue if needed and developed a backup plan to stop the leak.

The leak stopped after the level of material in the tank fell below the puncture. The spill was neutralized, and the scene was left in the care of the facility and Kern County Environmental Health.

The incident is complete. All roadways are open, and the shelter-in-place order for zone KRN-421 has been lifted.