KANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) – Shortly after a chemical emergency, staff at the Shawnee Sports Complex got an alert and quickly sheltered in place at the welcome center.
Katie Arthur, executive director at the complex, described the process.
“We also shut off the air conditioning unit, which is something that we’re trained to do by our emergency services, and we did that, and everyone was inside while we waited for the OK to leave,” Arthur said.
She said her staff waited for hours while talking with coaches and parents about canceling practices and some cup games.
Adam Arthur, the director of FC Alliance said, “A lot of unknowns, is it in the air, is it not, should people come out, should they not? Just out of an abundance of precaution, we just said let’s just move inside.”
Katie Arthur said she’s thankful for the speed of first responders and that the complex wasn’t full.
“Yesterday was obviously a very hard day for everyone and as a county entity, we always put our faith in the emergency services and the Kanawha County commissioners and the commissioners … I mean, they are very equipped and very available and very ready for these kinds of situations.”
Adam Arthur said he was nearby when the incident happened and it’s still fresh on everyone’s mind.
“At first, you hear of a chemical spill, and you are kind of like ‘really that’s going to cancel soccer practice,’ ” he said.
He went on to say, “Then you start hearing the severity of it and a couple people have lost their lives and the first responders going in with the potential to get hurt or lose their lives. It’s a sad situation to think about.”
Coaches are thankful players and parents were safe, but they’re keeping the families of those who lost their lives in their thoughts and prayers.
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