Smell that caused emergency response in College Township came from Rockview state prison training

A smell that caused an emergency response and reports of burning eyes in College Township originated at the Rockview state prison shooting range, police and fire officials say.

Shortly after 11:40 a.m. Monday, Alpha Fire Company and Centre Lifelink EMS were dispatched to Clyde Avenue in Woskob Industrial Park for reports of a chemical smell that was causing people’s eyes to water and burn.

Emergency crews figured out that Centre County correctional officers were using the Rockview prison shooting range to deploy pepper spray as part of riot training, said Alpha Fire Company Chief Steve Bair.

“It’s humid out and ... it just kind of wafted down the ridge,” he said of the pepper spray.

In a statement, Rockview said that the Department of Corrections “regularly trains with OC (pepper) spray at our facilities.”

“Prior to deploying the gas, facility staff evaluate wind direction and other environmental conditions to prevent impact on our neighbors,” said the statement. “Unfortunately, it seems the wind shifted during the exercise and some neighbors reported an uncomfortable smell. The incident is under review, and the Department apologizes for any inconvenience.”

The Rockview shooting range is located south of the prison on the opposite side of Route 26, said Rockview administrative officer Kenneth Brubaker.

By the time emergency crews arrived in the area, the smell had mostly dissipated, Bair said. When testing for chemicals, Alpha’s metering equipment did not pick up anything, he said.

Bair said all the businesses in the industrial park made a point to check their tanks and found no indication of a chemical leak or spill.

“There’s absolutely no chemical spill in the area,” he said.

State College police also confirmed the Rockview training story, and said there is “nothing to be concerned about.”

“Fortunately, no one was injured, no one requested medical attention,” Bair said.

This story was originally published September 30, 2019 at 2:06 PM.