Firefighters Assist with Chemical Remediation at Anamosa Prison

Firefighters responded to the Anamosa State Penitentiary on Tuesday afternoon to assist with a chemical remediation. 

The Iowa Department of Corrections says shortly after 1 pm, staff at the Anamosa State Penitentiary Prison Industries’ sign shop were alerted to what appeared to be a chemical reaction inside one of the shop’s scrap metal storage containers. 

Staff immediately removed the storage container from the sign shop and initiated chemical safety protocols. The container was moved outside the facilities’ secure perimeter for remediation in a remote facility storage lot. Local firefighters were called in and they were able to successfully dilute the chemical reaction.

No one was injured.

While it appears this is an isolated incident, the Iowa Department of Corrections will investigate the cause and ensure the sign shop work space is safe for staff and inmates.