Oakmont Center for Nursing & Rehabilitation evacuated due to chemical spill

Oakmont Center for Nursing & Rehabilitation was evacuated Thursday afternoon because of a chemical spill.

Oakmont Fire Chief Dave Carroll said the spill occurred in a second-floor washroom, and there was a strong ammonia smell seeping down to the first floor.

He said all patients were evacuated safely and no injuries were reported.

Allegheny County officials said 76 residents were evacuated.

They were expected to be returned to the building Thursday night after the fumes are cleared.

The incident happened around 2:50 p.m.

Multiple fire and EMS companies responded to the scene to help evacuate patients and staff.

An Allegheny County Hazmat unit was called. Allegheny County Emergency Services Chief Matt Brown said some type of drain cleaner had been poured into a clogged slop sink, which created a chemical reaction that started fuming.

Brown said meter readings of the fumes did not show anything unusual and the building was being ventilated.

Allegheny County Emergency Services assisted with the resident evacuations and care for them while evacuated. The Port Authority sent two buses that were used a temporary shelters.

Emergency services Deputy Chief Steve Ibarlina said they hoped to have people back in the center Thursday night.

“So far so good,” Ibarlina said at the scene. “The facility enacted its emergency plan. EMS came in (and) everyone’s being cared for. We’re working toward by sometime this evening being able to move folks back into the building.”