Free Republic

MIAMI — Part of the Opa-locka Executive Airport in South Florida had to be temporarily evacuated after a 55-gallon drum containing depleted uranium aircraft parts was found. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue spokesman Arnold Piedrahita Jr. reports that the unsealed drum was found Thursday near a dismantled plane at the airport. A hazmat team from Miami International Airport went to the site, but only minimal levels of radiation were detected. Officials initially cleared a 150-foot perimeter around the drum, but that circle was later reduced to 5 feet. Airport spokesman Marc Henderson said no flights were disrupted and the airport never closed.

A 55-gallon drum of uranium was found Thursday in the area of a dismantled airplane at Opa-locka Executive Airport, according to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue. The area has been evacuated while a hazmat team from Miami International Airport assess the situation as well as a possible spill. Teams are “monitoring levels of radiation,” fire-rescue spokesman Arnold Piedrahita said Thursday afternoon on Twitter. So far, “minimum” levels have been detected, he said.