Safeway Stores; Hayward, California

Hayward, California | 1986-Jun-26

Initial Notification: On June 26, 1986, a 25 cubic yard capacity dumpster containing ammonia and chlorine products caught fire and exploded several times at a Safeway grocery store in Hayward, California. The fire was the result of several tons of household chemicals and products being compacted into a dumpster prior to being transported to a certified hazardous waste site. The Hayward Fire Department reported that five people, who were injured, were taken to the local hospital for burns and inhalation. A sand berm was placed around the dumpster and most of the firefighting water was contained within the sand berm. However, an unknown amount of runoff water was released into the storm drain, which is located upstream of a marsh area. California Department of fish and Game, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of Public Works, Alameda County Health, as well as the media, were on scene. USCG district 11.