Airport foul-up floods foam onto city streets

Large amounts of white foam have spilled from a hangar near Mineta San Jose International Airport and blanketed a street in Santa Clara Friday afternoon, a fire official said.

The non-hazardous fire suppression foam came from a hangar that malfunctioned on airport property to the east end of Martin Avenue, fire Battalion Chief Drew Miller said.

The fire department was first notified of the spill shortly before 1:30 p.m., but the incident started well before then, he said.

A city hazardous materials team was sent to the scene with San Jose fire crews, Miller said.

Officers from San Jose and Santa Clara are also controlling traffic in the area, according to Miller.

Crews are waiting for the foam to dissipate, but that is expected to take a while given the magnitude of the spill, the chief said.

A waste operations company is expected to be involved in the extensive clean up operation, according to the chief.

Miller didn’t know how much foam leaked, but estimated the bubbles stood about 3-and-a-half feet tall.

No injuries have been reported.

The roadway was taped off to the public and orange traffic cones were set up in front of the foam.

The public is advised to avoid Martin Avenue east of Lafayette Boulevard.