United States

Kaiser Medical Center Building in Santa Rosa Evacuated After Truck Hits Oxygen Tanker: CHP

Hwy. 101 reopened Wednesday afternoon after a liquid oxygen spill

A Kaiser outpatient clinic in Santa Rosa was evacuated Wednesday after a truck hit an oxygen tanker and there were reports of an explosion, the California Highway Patrol said.

All lanes of Highway 101 between Bicentennial Way and River Road were closed for a portion of the afternoon Wednesday after a hazmat situation involving a liquid oxygen spill from the tanker, CHP officials said.

The hazmat situation occurred around 2:30 p.m., the CHP said. No flames were reported, officials said. CHP along with Santa Rosa police and American Medical Response were called on scene to investigate.

The driver of the tanker was injured and taken to a hospital, officials said. The nature of his injuries and his condition were not known.  

Matheson, the company that owns the tanker, said it was carrying liquid oxygen, which is "relatively harmless" unless around an open flame.

Santa Rosa fire officials wrote on Twitter that the hospital campus had been evacuated.

Kaiser Hospital is about a mile south from the outpatient center on Old Redwood Highway. Patients at the clinic are mobile and were able to evacuate themselves, a hospital spokesperson said. 

No further details were immediately available.

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