COLUMBUS – Residents of a northwest Columbus neighborhood were evacuated Thursday night as the Columbus fire personnel investigated a report of possible radiation that turned out to be much ado about nothing.
According to a report by WBNS 10-TV, the Columbus Division of Fire HAZMAT crew, bomb squad, arson team and other personnel responded to a home in the area of Cranston Drive and Riverside Drive at around 6:00 p.m. after a man told 911 dispatchers he was working on a “quantum physics generator” and said he had burns.
Fire officials said the words the man used in the call were “alpha ray and particle accelerator,” leading to concerns over radiation.
The man and his garage were checked for radiation and other potentially hazardous materials but, while items for some sort of project, were found there was nothing of concern, Battalion Chief Steve martin said.
The man who called 911 will undergo a mental evaluation at the hospital.