Pocono News Section

Chemicals Discovered in Home Prompt Evacuation

Chemicals Discovered in Home Prompt Evacuation - Tuesday, May 4, 2010 at 04:03AM EST

Reported by: Joe Holden
Tuesday May 04 2010
BUTLER TWP., LUZERNE COUNTY - Haz-mat crews raced to a home in a Luzerne County private development late Tuesday afternoon.

Officials say they discovered volatile chemicals stored in a home at 22 Edge Rock Drive in Beech Mountain Lakes. They evacuated several homes as they work to remove the chemicals.

The discovery was made after the fire department responded to a carbon monoxide detector going off at that home.

Officials says a number of large drums filled with chemicals were found inside the home. Fire crews have since learned that the drums are filled with bio-diesel fuel and other chemicals used to make bio-diesel fuel.

Zoning and code enforcement officials were called to the home to determine whether the homeowner has the proper permits to store the chemicals. Firefighters say the chemicals are dangerous and need to be removed.

Officials are still trying to determine exactly what will be done with the chemicals.