OXNARD : Field of Fumes’ Owner Unknown

Oxnard fire officials have not determined who owns the Rose Avenue agricultural field where a fumigant caused three firefighters and 12 neighbors to become ill over the weekend, authorities said.

Battalion Chief Murray Glidden said the investigation into the ownership of the field in the 1700 block of South Rose Avenue was delayed because records are locked up over the weekend.

The incident occurred about 9:20 p.m. Saturday when fire officials received calls from people living in the Lemonwood tract complaining that a chemical emanating from a nearby field was causing their eyes to burn and irritating their noses and throats.

Firefighters responding to the scene discovered that the chemical was methyl bromide, a fumigant, Glidden said, and three firefighters became ill from the fumes.

Glidden said the problem apparently occurred when plastic sheeting covering the field was removed too soon after the chemical was injected.

“Methyl bromide is heavier than air,” so it didn’t disperse when the sheeting was lifted, he said.

More than 30 officers and workers from the Oxnard Police and Fire departments, the Ventura County Fire Department, the county’s Hazardous Materials Team and a private ambulance company responded to the incident.

All the victims were treated at the scene.

After the incident was reported, authorities sent police officers through the neighborhood with public address systems, telling people to close their windows and turn off their air conditioners to keep their homes sealed, Glidden said.

But evacuation proved unnecessary, because “the wind came up, and it was over,” he said.

“The wind is the best friend you can have in this particular case, because that’s the only way you’re going to remove these fumes,” he said.

Fire and police officials were at the scene until about midnight.