Businesses in Seattle’s Ballard neighbourhood were evacuated on Saturday after firefighters detected dangerous levels of carbon dioxide inside a commercial building, officials said.
The Seattle Fire Department was called to 5429 Ballard Avenue Northwest shortly after 10.25am following the activation of a carbon dioxide alarm. Its dispatch log showed a hazmat team and specialist decontamination units were sent to the scene. ([web.seattle.gov](https://web.seattle.gov/sfd/realtime911/getRecsForDatePub.asp?action=Today&rad1=des&utm_source=openai))
Nearby premises were cleared as a precaution while crews investigated the source of the leak. Hazmat personnel later recorded elevated carbon dioxide levels and worked to isolate the release.
The leak had been secured by about 12.30pm, and firefighters said the affected buildings were safe for people to re-enter. No injuries were reported.
The fire department has not said where the leak originated or identified the commercial building involved.
