Salem neighborhood evacuated due to liquid oxygen leak

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Officials say a liquid oxygen leak has forced some Salem residents to evacuate their homes.


Salem firefighters responded to a report of a hazardous materials situation Thursday night. KGW-TV reports (http://goo.gl/VVaiuG ) the leak was contained at 8:40 p.m. but evacuations were continuing due to a high combustion risk.

The evacuation of about six blocks around the 4600 block of Windsor Way Northeast was expected to last about 12 hours.

Displaced residents were staying warm on a city bus and others headed to a shelter opened by the American Red Cross at the McKay High School gym.

Officials are asking people to avoid the area.

It wasn't immediately clear what caused the leak.