Liquid Oxygen Leak Leads to Evacuations at Neb. Medical Center

OMAHA, Neb. --

Emergency officials said four buildings were evacuated Friday morning following a liquid oxygen leak on the University of Nebraska Medical Center campus.

Hazardous materials crews with the Omaha Fire Department were called to the campus around 7:45 a.m.

"Because of the high humidity this morning and the cold temperature of that gas, it created a huge white cloud. That's how we found out we had the leak," said Nick Combs, UNMC maintenance director.

With lightning in the area, firefighters kept their distance in the event of a possible explosion.

"Lightning was a cause for concern because the lightning would become an ignition source, and if there was any other combustible material, then the oxygen would just support the fire," Combs said.

Patients at the medical center needing oxygen were never at risk, said Combs. The large tank supplies oxygen for thousands of portable tanks.

The all-clear was given about an hour after the leak was discovered.

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