Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a fire at a commercial building on Blackwell Rd. in Rockville involving an autoclave in a biohazard room.
According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the fire, which caused heavy smoke and required building evacuation and decontamination for some staff and firefighters, was quickly contained with no injuries reported.
An autoclave is a device that sterilizes equipment and materials using high-pressure steam to kill bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores. Commonly used in healthcare, labs, and industries, it ensures items are free of contaminants by exposing them to high-temperature steam in a sealed pressure vessel.
More – Autoclaves are steam sterilizers (typically used for healthcare or industrial applications). NOTE: autoclave machines use steam under pressure to kill harmful bacteria, viruses, fungi & spores on items that are placed inside a pressure vessel). A small fire was contained. pic.twitter.com/i6HJJrtgO7
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) January 2, 2025