Chemical Vapor Cloud Causes Brief Scare

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, OK -- A street was closed to traffic for about an hour Wednesday morning because of what officials were calling a chemical vapor cloud. 

Tulsa Police closed Peoria between Pine and Independence while Tulsa Fire Hazmat crews investigated. 

Brainerd Chemical officials say crews at their facility at 1200 N. Peoria were in the process of transferring hydrochloric acid from a bulk storage container to a tanker truck.  The hydrochloric acid reacted with the moist air and formed a cloud.

Tusla Fire Hazmat assisted with the shut down of the transfer filling operation. As a precaution, police closed down that section of Peoria.  

Fire officials determined the cloud had dissipated and Peoria was reopened to traffic.

The CEO of Brainerd Chemical assured the News On 6 that this is very normal.

"This type of vapor appears on cool humid mornings," said Mathew Brainerd.

"The appearance of the vapor cloud is very similar to the exhaust of your vehicle being visible on colder days," Brainerd added. "The release of this vapor into the atmosphere is common, but on days like today you can see it."

There were no reports of any injuries.