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Hazmat Scare: Man Arrested After Dumping Mystery Acid That Was ‘Smoking’ And ‘Eating’ Parking Lot
September 20, 2009
(EXCLUSIVE) A substance that was “eating” concrete caused a full scale hazardous materials response and landed a subject in jail late Saturday night.
The incident began about 11 p.m. at a BP gas station at I-65 and Highway 31 in Atmore when, according to witnesses, a white male poured a liquid substance out of a gallon plastic jug onto the concrete. The substance was described as “smoking” and “eating” concrete just outside the entrance to the store. After pouring out the liquid, the subject fled the area.
NorthEscambia.com was the only media at the Hazmat incident. For an exclusive NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.
A hazardous materials teams from the Poarch Creek Fire Department responded to the scene, along with the Atmore Fire Department and the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire-Rescue. Since officials did not know what material they were dealing with at the time, the suited up in full Hazmat gear and setup a decontamination area including a shower area.
As a witness to the incident was standing at the scene talking to officials, he spotted a subject in a passing vehicle that he believe was the man that poured out the liquid. A unit from the Atmore Police Department gave chase, returning to the scene with the male subject and the plastic bottle about midnight.
The man, identified as James Anthony Bagwell, 24, of Atmosphere Road, Atmore, told authorities that he emptied the plastic jug onto the concrete in order to fill it with gas for a vehicle that was out of fuel. He identified the liquid in the unmarked jug as being muriatic acid or “mineral acid”. Bagwell told firemen that “it’s that stuff you use to clean out grout”.
Muriatic acid, also known as hydrochloric acid, “mist and the solution have a corrosive effect on human tissue, with the potential to damage respiratory organs, eyes, skin, and intestines,” according to Wikipedia.
Bagwell was arrested by Atmore Police at 12:03 Sunday morning. It was expected that would be charged with improper disposal of a hazardous material, using an improper container, criminal littering and perhaps other charges. Bagwell was transported to the Atmore Police Department for further questioning.
The three people, including the clerk, at the BP station at the time of the incident were evaluated at the scene by paramedics from Atmore Ambulance. At least one complained of nausea. They were forced to remove their clothing due to possible exposure to the acid, and they were decontaminated prior to being place in a waiting ambulance. They were not believed to be seriously injured by the acid or fumes.
The first Hazmat team entered the parking lot of of the store at about 12:45 Sunday morning. They spread an absorbent material over the area of the parking lot where the acid was contained. After working for several minutes. the first two Hazmat team members left the parking lot to be replaced by a second team of two.
The absorbent material was swept up and removed from the parking lot by the Hazmat crews and placed in holding containers to be transported from the scene for proper disposal.
As the Hazmat team members left the parking lot, they were required to go through a decontamination shower, and then they received a scrub-down from other team members dressed completely in protective clothing and wearing breathing apparatus. Personnel from Atmore Ambulance checked the vital signs of emergency personnel both before and after they entered the scene to ensure that they were not harmed by the acid.
The scene was declared to be decontaminated at about 1:45 a.m. Sunday. Emergency personnel remained on scene until about 3:00 a.m. cleaning up supplies and the decontamination shower.
None of the dozens of emergeny personnel that responded to the scene were injured.
The Atmore Police Department, Alabama State Troopers and Poarch Creek Police Department also responded to the incident.
NorthEscambia.com was the only media at the Hazmat incident. For an exclusive NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.
Pictured top: A Hazmat crew works to clean acid out of a gas station parking lot: Pictured top inset: The man who allegedly pour the acid out of a gallon jug talks with Assistant Atmore Fire Chief Mike Staples while holding the jug. Pictured middle inset: James Anthony Bagwell is taken into custody by Atmore Police. Pictured bottom incident: First responders had their vital signs checked before and after entering the contaminated area. Pictured below: A two-man Hazmat crew undergoes decontamination procedures. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
34 Responses to “Hazmat Scare: Man Arrested After Dumping Mystery Acid That Was ‘Smoking’ And ‘Eating’ Parking Lot”
give a hoot, don’t pollute! mr. bagwell’s face in the last photo is priceless.
Please give thought to how many hours of training that First Responders go through. Sure some of it is an adrenalin rush to them, some folks thrive on that, but when all is said and done they are there to protect the folks around them. We should appreciate them for their skills and dedication, even when it is not our person that they are protecting, the next need might be your own or your family. This started as an unknown substance and realistic precautions were taken. Just think, this may have been a “practice run” that prepares them for something worse they may encounter. Many times things occur in small unsuspecting areas that do become hazardous.
I believe God created the earth and all that is in it. He gave each of us “gifts” (ie service, compassion…) Are you using your “gift” or “gifts” as He would like to see you do? Please don’t waste what you have been given.
Thank you to all the First Responders! I’m glad that you can be excited and dedicated about what you do and offer all that you do to your community. May God bless you and keep you safe, whether you know Him or not.
Well like i said before i was one of the 2 taken to the hospital because of it and i have pictures of the Crap on the ground and of it smoking. It was very real and i was very scared!
You get the same warnings for gasoline on the MSDS but you dont see lottie dottie and everybody when someone overfills their car. Alittle kitty litter would have saved the taxpayers alot of money.
Well, Jones, it’s kind of hard to bust up in the middle of a Hazmat scene and get a photo of concrete. Didn’t have my rubber hazmat suit handy.
Out of all those photos there was not ONE photo of the “eating and smoking concrete.” Not one photo of the spot it was poured on… sheesh
Since when did “man create the earth” based on the Biblical beliefs of the majority on this forum? That made no sense whatsoever.
I know the guy who did that and no he isn’t the brightest person in the world.
Enviorment (SIC?) on September 21st, 2009 12:31 pm,
What on earth are you talking about? Muriatic Acid is made by combining common salt with sulfuric acid (sulfur, oxygen and water). Please tell me how this will “destroy the earth”? Furthermore, if you believe the biblical teachings most on here adhere to, man created the earth, therefore he has the right to destroy it. Remember when Daddy said “I brought you into this world and I can take you out” Well, there you go…………there is your answer.
Males seem to be the biggest jerks when it comes to destroying the earth…..in every instance of enviormental issues there is always a male behind it…why is this?
Don’t get your panties in a wad. I was merely stating what you know is true. Wikipedia is a user-contributed information source whose reliability of accuracy should not be trusted and certainly should not be quoted as if it were a solid reference. Try using the criticism of your audience as a means to become a better journalist, instead of justifying your reasoning.
Over-Kill — I quoted Wikipedia as the information was accurate and more concise that the MSDS for Hydrochloric acid.
A true journalist verifies the accuracy of information (in the case, checked the MSDS) and chooses the best source.
(The MSDS, the Materials Safety Data Sheet, is the standard for workers and emergency workers to quickly determine the properties of a chemical.)
And, another footnote: The emergency workers did not know they had Hydrochloric acid. They had an unknown hazardous substance and treated it as such
Here’s the MSDS summary for the hazards of Hydrochloric acid:
Very hazardous in case of skin contact (corrosive, irritant, permeator), of eye contact (irritant, corrosive), of
ingestion, . Slightly hazardous in case of inhalation (lung sensitizer). Non-corrosive for lungs. Liquid or spray
mist may produce tissue damage particularly on mucous membranes of eyes, mouth and respiratory tract. Skin
contact may produce burns. Inhalation of the spray mist may produce severe irritation of respiratory tract,
characterized by coughing, choking, or shortness of breath. Severe over-exposure can result in death.
Inflammation of the eye is characterized by redness, watering, and itching. Skin inflammation is characterized by
itching, scaling, reddening, or, occasionally, blistering.
No doubt this guy is a moron, but what danger to society did these ER guys suspect this ONE GALLON of liquid poured onto the ground in a well-vetilated area would really cause? Surprised they didn’t evacuate the entire town. Guess they now know what to do when and if a REAL emergency happens. This story was so riveting, I am surprised we didn’t see it on CNN.
Oh and I love the Wikipedia reference. Not saying that this information was inaccurate, but I hope you writers and editors realize any idiot, self included can input information into Wikipedia. Hence their motto “Welcome to Wikipedia,
the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.” Probably not a good source to quote if consider yourself a true journalist.
No doubt this guy is a moron, but what danger to society did these ER guys suspect this ONE GALLON of liquid poured onto the ground in a well-vetilated area would really cause? Surprised they didn’t evacuate the entire town. Guess they now know what to do when and if a REAL emergency happens. This story was so riveting, I am surprised we didn’t see it on CNN.
To all of you claiming “overkill”, ANY chemical spill in this county is handled as a worse case senario until the chemical is identified. Just think about it. . . .it’s all to protect the people of the county. Emergency responders in Escambia County and Poarch are highly trained in procedures involving incidents like this one. So instead of playing “arm chair quarterback”; complaining and second-guessing without all the facts of went on at the scene, you better thank your lucky stars that you live in a county where the EMA (both Escambia County and Poarch), the firemen, medical responders, etc. are all well trained and ready to properly handle situations involving hazardous materials. And please, NO taxpayer money is going to be spent because of this incident!!
well that sound of ka ching made sure that my daughter and her friend made it out with no more injury than what was already caused. No amount of money is to much for our loveones Safety. Come on people if You could have seen how sick it made them You would not talk in suck a way.
Definitely overkill – someone just wanted to play with their rubber suits. Ka-ching! That’s the sound of your money going to waste.
And – what an idiot, pouring hydrochloric acid in a parking lot.
For the over kill comment. Your all idiots. Let you walk into something unknow with no protection. Talk about your redneck ignorance. Whether they new what it was or not you wouldnt want to bring anyof that home to your family. God you guys are dumb
It is hard to believe that so many people would actually think
this is overkill! How narrow minded. It is important that people observe what is going on in our surroundings and if something is seen so out of the ordinary, then it should be reported. Especially a chemical that is smoking on contact. My hat is off to the good samaritan that reported this!
Muratic acid can be used in making meth. Not something most people ride around with in one’s car.
To all of You who think this is overkill, Stop and think how You would feel if it were You or someone You loved facing an unknown chemical in an era of chemical warfare. We, as the victims of this assault are grateful they were there to control the situation and guarantee our Safety. Stop and ask yourself “What would I Want Done?”
Hey, you can spin it like you want. I’ve seen people etch their garage floors with this stuff to prep it for an epoxy coating. They didnt wear a mask or level A protection and fared very well. But, whatever.
Ike – I know because where I used to work, we had to watch for people buying certain items in conjunction with other items… pool cleaner…iodine…cold meds…
thank you for great news we appreciate it since atmore will not print
anything worth reading.except gambling no crime in atmore acording to howard shell while every house is being broke into
from a person who is concerned
It is not Government overkill. If it was my Lungs or your Lungs possing a threat due to this toxic Chemical then no mount of money or procaustion is to much or overkill. What a Dummie!!!!!!!!!!!! Pouring this substance out at the frount door of a gas station. If and I mean If by some chance he was using this by LEGAL use. He left his “Common Sence” at the house. And he should have despose of it Correctly and Safely. But If he is using this illegal. Then we all now why he done a stupid act. He has fried his brain. Either way he should be held for his action and made to renstate the coast for the Hazmat and emergancy team.. Thank you, Fireman & Police for acting swiftly. You don’t get Paid enough!!!!!!
Illegal dumping of a hazardous material is a third degree felony in the State of Florida. This will probably be plead down to a misdemeanor…but HOPEFULLY after a plea bargain of agreeing to reimburse the brave men and women who responded for thier time and equipment and the cost of cleanup…
By the way…..as for any thoughts of overkill…initially it appears that this was an UNKNOWN corrosive (they had no idea id was hydrochloric acid (HC). Hydrofluoric acid(HF) corrodes concrete but more importantly HF fumes in the air can be deadly to a responder wearing respiratory protection. From the pictures it appears the responders to the proper level of precaution
Its weird you people know how to make meth !
“Funny, huh” that was my first thought also. It is used to make meth. See http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/ph/druglab/chemicals.shtml
Isn’t muratic acid also used in cooking meth?
What a waste of time and money ! What an over-reaction by authorities ! Hose it down and get away from it, problem solved. Those penny ante charges will be dropped by monday morning.
Great job all around!! It’s always better to be safe than sorry, especially when so many people could be affected. That guy was being irresponsible to dump that there. People like that have no regard for the people around them. Great photos.
While it seems like government overkill, look at the timeline of the story. Happened about 11 pm. Hazmat gets there. People are sick, saying that it smoked at ate concrete. They start their cleanup. Guy returns an hour later with an UNMARKED jug and tells them what it is. He don’t look to bright in the pictures. Would you trust him or clean it up? In the world we live it, it could have been anything out by the interstate. Maybe a big time international terrorist. Maybe just a good ole boy. Who knew?
Talk about governmental overkill. As long as you do not breathe the fumes all is safe. A good cleaning with a water hose would have made the area safe. What did this cost in materials and labor. Probably ten thousand dollars for a gallon of $4 pool muriatic acid. It is good to be safe but this is over the wall for reaction.
This is also used to clean brick. It will foam and bubble. Most brick masons will useit after they lay brick if mortor has got on the brick. It will also clean green mold off of brick. It can burn you if not careful.
Amazing photos. That looked really cool. I did not know that Poarch could do something like that. Great neighbors to have when you need them. Thank you northescambia! Once again, you scooped the Atmore papers BAD!