A1A Opens After Smoking Chemical Barrel Neutralized

HOLLYWOOD (CBSMiami) – A stretch of A1A along Hollywood Beach was opened Monday evening after a mysterious drum that was smoking and detonating was neutralized and moved from the road. Investigat6ors are still trying to figure out what was inside.

According to Hollywood Fire-Rescue Division Chief Mark Steele, a 55-gallon drum washed up on Hollywood Beach Sunday.

It was taken to a city public works facility at 1112 North Ocean Drive in Hollywood where it started to emit vapors while the drum was being crushed.

The City of Hollywood Fire Rescue Hazardous Materials Team was called in to determine whether the contents of the drum are hazardous.

Early evidence, stated Chief Steele in a news release, is the material is a potentially hazardous chemical which led to police shutting down a 4-block section of A1A.

As firefighters tried to deal with the drum, it started to emit fumes, and firefighters heard detonations inside. Firefighters called the Broward County Bomb Squad, which help[ed to isolate the drum. A contractor was called to pack it and move it to a secure facility.

Finally, Hours after the drama began firefighters were able to open A1A and clear up a lingering and annoying traffic jam.

Minor delays were seen in the area as the cleanup continued.