www.lewiscountywatch.com
A chemical reaction caused by the accidental mixing of cleaning products at the Lewis County Jail was contained Saturday with no serious injuries to staff or inmates, according to a release from the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.
The chemical incident was reported at about 3:30 p.m. in the kitchen area of the jail. An inmate working in the area inadvertently mixed cleaning chemicals, producing a dangerous and instant chemical reaction.
The kitchen area was evacuated — including about eight inmates and two kitchen staff members who were evaluated by medical staff.
The Chehalis Fire Department arrived, vented the area and contained the chemicals in a single container, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Hazardous material personnel also responded.
The main jail population was unaffected and the inmates in the kitchen area were continuing to be monitored as of Saturday afternoon.
The Sheriff’s Office is asking members of the public to limit calls to the jail while clean-up operations are underway.
