Mayor: Jennifer P. Dougherty

CONTACT: Nancy Gregg Poss, Public Information Officer, 301-360-3842
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 5, 2005

Fort Detrick Boiler Plant discharges soot into the air

(Fort Detrick, Md.)- Early this morning at approximately 5:20 a.m., the Fort Detrick Boiler Plant accidentally released a large plume of smoke into the air which was carried outside the fenceline and into neighboring areas of Frederick City. The direction of the cloud carried ash in the direction of Military Road and Rosemount Avenue, which was visibly noticeable in those surrounding areas to include Shookstown Road and Baughmans Lane. The discharge lasted for approximately 15 minutes.

The Fort Detrick Boiler Plant provides steam to most of the installation for facility operations, and the discharge which occurred this morning is not generally hazardous in nature and should be immediately removed from surfaces with clean water. The boiler plant is not associated with any scientific or biomedical research conducted on the installation, nor is it associated with our incineration or refuge operations.

Fort Detrick is currently investigating the cause of this incident and offers our apologies to those citizens who have been affected by this accidental discharge. We continue our commitment to being good neighbors and environmental stewards, and will take the necessary corrective action to ensure that incidents like these are mitigated in the future.

For more information, citizens may contact the Fort Detrick Public Affairs Office at (301) 619-2018. To inquire about claims, citizens are asked to call the Fort Detrick Staff Judge Advocates Office at(301) 619-2643.