By Hannah Boen
The Abilene Reporter-News
ABILENE, Texas — The Big Country received some rain Sunday, but dozens of north Abilene residents received a different kind of shower when 350 gallons of fire retardant were accidentally dropped from a Texas Forest Service aircraft.
Brynn Reynolds said she heard what she thought was a brief rain shower from inside her apartment near the corner of North 16th Street and Judge Ely Boulevard. However, when she walked outside, her complex was covered in a pink liquid.
“It was pretty thick, a little soapy, I guess,” she said. “The sidewalks, the cars, the stairs, everything was just bright pink.”
Within a few hours, she said, Texas Forest Service vehicles were on site, hosing down the retardant.
Reynolds’ apartment was one of many residences that were rinsed off, according to TFS spokeswoman Debbie Bryars.
Several homes, businesses and about 160 vehicles were sprayed with the nontoxic retardant, Bryars said.
One structure affected was Abilene Christian University’s Duncum Center for Conflict Resolution.
According to the university’s director of public relations, Grant Rampy, no students on campus were directly impacted by the accidental dump.
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