A negative finding from Hazardous Materials Teams summoned to Fuller Industries Monday has allowed the business to continue its cleanup efforts from Sunday’s severe storm.

Great Bend Fire Chief Brent Smith reported Monday afternoon that at approximately 9:30 a.m., Great Bend Fire/Emergency Medical Service was called to the Fuller facility at 10 SW 40 Ave. west of Great Bend for a report of a hazardous materials incident.

The incident was discovered while cleanup was being done from storm damage incurred Sunday evening, Chief Smith said.

With unknown chemicals and unknown quantities of chemicals possibly involved, a mutual aid request was made for the McPherson Fire Department Hazardous Materials Team. Sedgwick County Fire District No. 1 Hazardous Materials Team also responded when a request was made for a regional hazardous material response team from the Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office. 

The teams were able to enter the building, survey the damage and take samples of the chemicals that were possibly involved. 

All samples tested were below permissible limits or had negative results, Chief Smith reported.  With no further emergency found, the building was turned back over to the owner so that cleanup could begin. The Great Bend Fire Department would like to thank the McPherson Fire Department, Sedgwick County Fire District No. 1, Great Bend Police Department, HazMat Response, MidWest Energy and Kansas Gas Service for their assistance at the scene, Smith said.