Unknown chemical smell leads to apartment complex evacuation

An apartment building was temporarily evacuated July 13 after reports of an unknown chemical smell, later discovered to be insecticide.

At around 2:45 p.m., the Red Oak Fire Department was dispatched to 1403 E. Summit St. on a report of a chemical smell emanating from within the apartment building.

Upon arrival, firefighters reported there was a chemical odor coming from within the apartment building and evacuated all residents.

Gas/air monitoring equipment was deployed, however, no readings were reported. MidAmerican Utilities were dispatched and their gas/air monitoring equipment did not provide a readout either.

The building was checked for a possible chemical spill or improper chemicals being mixed with nothing being located. After the building was ventilated, fire crews rechecked the building and the irritant odor had diminished and ceased to remain.

Property Management staff and occupants were advised they could return and if the odor came back, they were to notify the dispatch center and residents would then have to be placed somewhere else until the building could be cleared by chemical specialists.

Red Oak Fire Chief John Bruce gave an update on the investigation into the smell on July 14. Bruce said they have discovered that one of the residents had utilized an insecticide spray within their apartment, which is believed to have generated the chemical odor.

There were no injuries to first responders and only one resident was examined on scene, but not transported.

The Red Oak Fire Department was also assisted at the scene by the Red Oak Police Department, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Montgomery County Communications, the Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency, and the property owner, Southern Iowa Rural Housing.