Pacific Steel workers ruptured a barrel containing chlorine gas Wednesday, injuring at least eight people who were hospitalized in critical condition.

According to Spokane Police, a call came into the Spokane Fire Department just before 10 a.m. Wednesday. The caller reported a chemical release at the Pacific Steel and Recycling facility at 1114 N. Ralph in Spokane.

Several other calls were received, according to a press release, indicating people were being affected in the area around the Ralph address. Numerous agencies responded including Spokane Fire, Spokane Police, AMR, Fire District 8, Fire District 4, Northern Lakes Fire, Kootenai County Fire and Rescue, Fairchild Air Force Base and Spokane Valley Fire.

Patients were transported to several area hospitals for respiratory treatments. Kootenai Health was alerted, but had not seen any of the patients as of Wednesday afternoon.

The press release said fire officials determined that the incident was fairly serious and ordered a reverse 911 level-two evacuation. Police said the purpose of the level-two evacuation warning was to prepare people in the area to evacuate should the need arise. Burlington Northern was also asked to halt train traffic through the area.

According to the press release, workers at the steel facility advised they had been handling a steel barrel. While they were working with the barrel, it was punctured and released a large plume of yellow vapor. Eight workers at the facility were immediately affected by the unknown chemical.

The chemical plume was carried by winds, traveled southwest of the location and settled on a city-owned facility at 901 N. Nelson. There were approximately 20 city street workers outside at the time who were affected by the chemical.

The effects of the chemical ranged from minor respiratory issues to severe respiratory issues with at least two patients listed as critical, and two patients listed as serious. The chemical was initially believed to be arsenic trichloride. However upon further inspection, authorities said the gas was chlorine. Both gases are yellow in color.

Evacuations were still in place Wednesday afternoon for businesses contacted directly by emergency personnel.

The area was still barricaded off and people were being asked not to enter it. People were still being affected by the release Wednesday afternoon, the releases said.