The city of Berkeley issued a shelter-in-place order Monday morning for residents within one block of Colusa and Tacoma avenues in North Berkeley as police and fire officials began to dispose of hazardous materials from a nearby home.
City officials said residents in the affected area should begin to shelter in place or leave the neighborhood no later than 10:30 a.m. and should “prepare to be out of the area or inside your home for at least the entire day” until an all clear is posted through AC Alert, Alameda County’s emergency notification system. Those remaining in their homes are encouraged to lock all doors and windows.
Residents will not be allowed to travel through the affected area.
The city said the order is meant to keep residents safe while first responders and other neighboring agencies secure the area to remove toxic, heat-sensitive and volatile photography lab chemicals from a home.
Residents may shelter at the James Kenney Community Center at 1720 Eighth St., according to the notice.