Gas Forces Boeing Evacuation

A chemical release Wednesday at the Boeing Co.’s Kent Space Center prompted the evacuation of several hundred workers.

No one was injured, but one worker suffered an asthma attack, apparently due to the stress of the evacuation, Boeing spokesman Dave Suffia said.

The release happened in a room where aluminum chips were being treated in a 2,500-gallon waste treatment tank. A chemical reaction occurred, creating a small cloud of hydrogen chloride gas, Suffia said.

“These things happen occasionally. This was not a serious situation, but we treat them all as if they are serious,” Suffia said.

Four employees were in the room at the time, but they were not exposed to the vapors, Kent fire officials said.

As many as 500 employees in the building and an adjoining building were evacuated to a parking lot while hazardous materials teams responded.