Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Misfiring alarm drowns entire Californian airport in several feet of foam

Locals were advised to steer clear of the foam mass as it constitutes a skin irritant.

Foam Blob Airport AP AP

A MALFUNCTIONING FIRE alarm has caused flame-retardant foam to engulf a Californian airport.

The incident occurred at Mineta San Jose International Airport yesterday, leaving the entire hangar area together with a nearby city street looking like the land of cotton.

While it may look idyllic, firefighters advised the public to avoid the foam, which was several feet deep, as it is a skin irritant

Much of the foam now appears to be gone.

KTVU / YouTube

The substance itself is a fire retardant chemical and emanated from the hangar’s fire prevention system, San Jose fire Captain Mitch Matlow told local media outlet The Mercury News.

Matlow said the retardant discharged accidentally and began spilling out in the morning. All of the foam is released when the fire system goes off.

Foam

It wasn’t immediately clear what had caused the sudden failure of the alarm system.

“The purpose is to prevent a flammable liquid fire inside the hangar from spreading,” Matlow said. “If there had been a fire, this system would’ve worked very well.”

By the afternoon, the pulsating flow had surrounded two tanker trucks, reached to the bottom of a stop sign and filled the entire stretch of the street.

Foam Blob Airport AP AP

Foam Blob Airport AP AP

While clean-up workers asked people to stay out of the foam, one cyclist pedaled straight through the fluffy mass, emerging covered in foam to laughing onlookers. The rider, Blake Harrington, said he could not see through it even when he stood up on his bike.

“Someone had to do it,” Harrington told San Francisco area TV station KTVU-TV, saying the foam felt and smelled like soap.

With AP

Read: This is where the Obamas will call home after the White House

Read: Ireland to oppose Uber application to circumvent taxi regulations across EU

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
7 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Andrew Finnegan
    Favourite Andrew Finnegan
    Report
    Nov 19th 2016, 11:49 AM

    Looks like when the yobs put Fairy in the fountain at the roundabout in Ennis.

    58
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter McGlynn
    Favourite Peter McGlynn
    Report
    Nov 19th 2016, 11:50 AM

    Foamparteeeee

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pauliebhoy
    Favourite Pauliebhoy
    Report
    Nov 19th 2016, 12:22 PM

    They should have just foamed the fire department to come out

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Clinton
    Favourite Michael Clinton
    Report
    Nov 19th 2016, 11:36 AM

    Ah brilliant , think of the craic you would have in that… “Surf’s up”

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Taylor
    Favourite Taylor
    Report
    Nov 19th 2016, 12:34 PM

    Looks like when I was in Ibiza in 2005

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Deborah Behan
    Favourite Deborah Behan
    Report
    Nov 19th 2016, 2:29 PM

    I know it was a faulty alarm but it looks so cool!

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute funkytown
    Favourite funkytown
    Report
    Nov 19th 2016, 1:26 PM

    Car wash party!

    3
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.