Watch CBS News

Crews Respond To Report Of Explosion At National Zoo

WASHINGTON (AP/KDKA) - Fire department officials are investigating a report of an explosion at the National Zoo, but a zoo official says no people or animals were injured.

Zoo spokeswoman Pamela Baker-Masson says a contractor working in a mechanical area next to the beaver and otter exhibits smelled chlorine and left the area Thursday morning. He later heard a bang. She says chlorine is kept in that area for water filtration.

Fire and EMS Department spokesman Timothy Wilson says crews responded to an initial report of a chlorine explosion, but no injuries have been reported. He says crews are trying to determine the cause.

An alarm was sounding and the smell of chlorine hung in the air near a roped-off area along the American Trail early Thursday afternoon.

Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.