VIDEO: Austin Fire Department Chief Joel Baker says the Department is at fault for the foamy water as many as 300 South Austin neighbors had come through their sinks more than a week ago, citing issues with one engine’s foam eductor pump as the culprit.
On January 22, crews put out a fire at a church, but needed to use Class A foam because of how intense the fire got. Shortly after, neighbors at a nearby apartment complex complained of foamy water that had an odor.
"I just want to take a minute to apologize,” Baker said to begin Monday’s press conference.
While fighting the fire, the fire truck closest to the building did not have an operational machine to dispense the foam needed. At that point, crews pumped foam from one truck to that truck, while both were still hooked up to the fire hydrant.