SANTA CRUZ: Fire crews respond to hazardous material call

Emergency crews responded to reports of an unknown yellow substance left behind a dumpster in Santa Cruz County.

The Santa Cruz Fire Department arrived to the 200 block of Laurel Street around 7:30 a.m. Upon arrival crew members found one gallon of an unknown liquid substance had been spilled from an unmarked container. Santa Cruz Fire said the substance was producing a vapor and all the businesses and residents in the area were advised to shelter in place.

Once on scene the Santa Cruz County Hazardous Incident team tested the unknown liquid and it turned out to be hydrochloric acid. The hazmat crew used sodium bicarbonate to change the ph to safe levels to clean up the area.

Laural Street from Pacific Avenue to Cedar Street was closed.

Scotts Valley Fire and Watsonville Fire also assisted with the clean up. Fire officials want to remind people to properly dispose of hazardous waste.

The Santa Cruz Police Department is investigating how the hydrochloric acid got there.