HOUSTON – A cleanup operation is currently in progress at Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston following an incident where fire suppression foam filled a hangar and spilled onto a nearby road.
Cars parked nearby were covered in several feet of the foam.
Sources say, the foam is also threatening a nearby bayou.
The issue arose due to a malfunction in the fire suppression system inside a United Airlines hangar. The incident occurred at approximately 5:30 a.m., leading to the inadvertent release of biodegradable PFAS-free fire suppression foam.
Houston Fire Department and Houston Public Works crews, along with teams from United Airlines and the Houston Airports, are currently on-site to manage the cleanup.
At 1:45 p.m. the fire department dispatched two HAZMAT (hazardous material) trucks to the scene.
During a news conference Thursday afternoon, fire officials said that a solution is being sprayed “that will eat the foam up and kind of make it go away.”
The Houston Airports’ Public Information Office provided a statement to KPRC 2, assuring the public that there is no impact on travelers flying in and out of Bush Airport.
KPRC 2 Reporter Corley Peel provided a live look at the scene, describing it as an “incredible scene” with foam reaching significant heights. At least a dozen employees are reportedly stuck inside the hangar due to the foam, hindering their ability to exit the building.
One employee shared his experience with the unexpected foam release. “I walked out the door on this side of the building, and there was just foam pouring out of the end of the building. Coming across the ramp looked like a lava flow,” he recounted. “I’ve been in aviation for 36 years, and I’ve heard of the fire extinguisher systems going off, but I’ve never been present for one,” he added.
Michael Shar is a Sheet Metal Technician. He told KPRC 2 Reporter Corley Peel he was inside the hangar when the foam started pouring out.
“One of the employees came in and asked if I wanted to see something that looked crazy. I walked out to the side of the building and there was just foam pouring out to the end of the building and coming out like a lava flow,” said Sharp.
Sharp said the foam was moving a couple of miles an hour.
“You could see it rolling just like the pictures of lava flow you see on TV in Hawaii. Really wild-looking. I’ve been in aviation for 36 years. I’ve heard of the fire extinguisher systems going off but never been present for it,” said Sharp.
HFD officials said the foam is not toxic.
“This is the newer foam that we call PFA’s free. So it’s safer for the environment and it should not be cancer-causing but we’re still working to protect the environment including the waterways. There’s no concern that the public should have right now. There’s no risk for public safety,” said HFD Chief of Operations, Michael Mire.
HFD said the foam spread 100 yards from the building in each direction and reached up to 30 feet high.