Chapter 78 Smoke from the Ruins
"Huo Nanchen?" Lu Qingshu asked in surprise. "Why would you call me?"
The last time I contacted her was to complain about the negligence in the management of the dormitory by the Justice Bureau. This time, she suddenly called me, which obviously doesn't mean anything good has happened.
Huo Nanchen had no time to explain to her, and said quickly, "Director Lu, listen up."
"The gas cylinder explosion that just happened at a small restaurant in the Sunflower Creek residential area has smoke of an unusual color."
“I suspect that there are chemical agents, possibly containing chlorine or other highly toxic compounds, stored underground in the ruins next to this restaurant.”
"Immediately evacuate all residents within a one-kilometer radius, including all firefighters, police officers, and medical personnel. They must evacuate to a distance of more than one kilometer."
"Also, immediately inform the fire department that the fire at the small restaurant has been extinguished. If there are any more flames, remember not to use water."
Lu Qingshu asked in bewilderment, "Huo Nanchen, you, you're not a thyroid doctor?"
"How can you conclude that it's wrong based on the color of the smoke in a live stream?"
This is completely beyond the scope of expertise of an endocrinologist specializing in thyroid diseases.
"Don't worry about how I know!" Huo Nanchen roared, veins bulging on his forehead. "Remember, the evacuation must be completed within two hours."
"If you don't believe me, wasn't that place originally planned to be dug to build a subway line, but it didn't work out due to geological or funding issues, leaving behind abandoned tunnels or underground spaces?"
Lu Qingshu gasped, her expression instantly turning extremely serious: "It's true, it's a project file from several years ago..."
Before she could finish speaking, she immediately realized the seriousness of the situation; this was likely no ordinary gas cylinder explosion.
"I understand, I'll coordinate it immediately."
Lu Qingshu immediately hung up the phone and began issuing orders.
Huo Nanchen gripped his phone, his heart pounding with fear and urgency.
He immediately dialed Lin Xili's number again, knowing that she would definitely go to the scene to collect evidence, but no one answered the phone once or twice.
Huo Nanchen hung up the phone, turned around and rushed out of the hospital. He didn't have time to get the car in the garage, so he hailed a taxi on the roadside.
"Master, go to Kwai Fa Chung. Please go as fast as possible while being careful. Thank you."
The taxi driver didn't dare ask any more questions and started the car with a tap on the gas.
Huo Nanchen was extremely anxious in the taxi, repeatedly dialing Lin Xili's number, but only receiving a cold, automated message.
However, when he finally arrived at Sunflower Creek, the scene before him made his heart sink.
Several police lines have been set up at the main intersections leading to the epicenter of the explosion.
Armed police officers in uniform stood guard with stern expressions, while police officers and firefighters forcibly evacuated residents who were unwilling to leave.
The scene was chaotic, with cries, arguments, and police sirens mingling together.
"Why are you kicking us out? It's just a small restaurant that got blown up, it's no big deal!"
"Weren't the fires all put out?"
"My home is inside, but I haven't taken my things yet."
"Let me go! I still have my newly bought gold bracelet at home. I need to go back and get it. Let me go!"
"Aren't you police making a mountain out of a molehill? We've lived here for decades."
"I'm going to sue you..."
The residents were furious and extremely incomprehensible about the forced evacuation order, and even shoved the police officers who were maintaining order.
Wei Dongyang, holding a megaphone, his forehead veins bulging, shouted: "Fellow residents, listen to my instructions and evacuate immediately! This is not an ordinary gas explosion; there are unknown dangers!"
"For everyone's safety, please leave immediately. Those who do not cooperate will be subject to coercive measures!"
Police officers and firefighters had no choice but to grit their teeth and work in pairs, using a combination of persuasion and pulling, and when necessary, forcibly lifting up residents who refused to listen and dragging them away from the scene.
The situation was quite ugly and difficult at one point.
Huo Nanchen pushed open the car door and was about to rush inside, but was firmly stopped by a young police officer.
"Sir, this is a dangerous area. No one is allowed to enter. Please leave immediately!"
“My wife is inside; she works in the forensic department!” Huo Nanchen tried to explain.
"No matter who it is, from now on, only exit is allowed, no entry is permitted. This is a strict order, please cooperate!" The police officer's attitude was firm.
Huo Nanchen was isolated outside the cordon, watching helplessly as the area was shrouded in eerie smoke, his heart filled with anxiety, yet he was powerless to do anything about it.
He could only clench his fists tightly, his eyes anxiously searching for any possible figure of Lin Xili.
Meanwhile, in the core area of the explosion site.
Lin Xili, along with Brother Li and Brother Wang, were wearing basic protective suits and masks, preparing to begin the preliminary investigation according to standard procedures.
They saw a steady stream of medical vehicles, firefighters, armed police, and even military personnel arriving.
Given the scale of the forced evacuation, they sensed that this was not a simple gas cylinder explosion, but they still insisted on collecting evidence at the small restaurant.
Just then, a government vehicle from the Bureau of Justice sped up, followed by a sharp screech of brakes.
The director of the Justice Bureau, the director of the Public Security Bureau, the director of the Fire Department, the mayor, and even the minister of the military all came and got out of their cars.
Lu Qingshu was dressed in neat casual clothes, but her expression was more solemn than ever before.
Lin Xili, Brother Li, and Brother Wang were all stunned. The presence of these big shots in person indicated that the seriousness of the incident was beyond their imagination.
As soon as Lu Qingshu got out of the car, she picked up her binoculars and looked at the smoke that was still slowly drifting upwards, carrying a subtle, unusual color. Her pupils instantly contracted.
Huo Nanchen is right, there is indeed something wrong with the color of this smoke!
After Lu Qingshu turned to the bureau chiefs and ministers and said a few words, their expressions immediately became serious.
They quickly took out their phones and began issuing orders and requesting support from neighboring cities.
"Wei Dongyang, immediately raise the alarm to the highest level," Lu Qingshu shouted to Wei Dongyang.
"No matter how fast you go, I don't care what method you use. There's only one and a half hours left. The area within one kilometer must be cleared."
"Those who don't cooperate need no further explanation. They will be forcibly removed. Locked houses must be broken open to check if any residents are inside. I will take full responsibility for all consequences!"
"Yes, Director Lu!" Wei Dongyang immediately turned around and issued even stricter orders to his subordinates.
After giving the order, Lu Qingshu quickly walked to the back of the car, opened the trunk, and found professional fireproof and gas mask and higher-level protective clothing inside.
She began to dress quickly and skillfully.
"Director Lu, what are you doing?" Lin Xili looked at her actions in surprise.
Lu Qingshu fastened the clasp of her mask. "I have to go down and take a look."
She pointed to the area next to the small restaurant that had become ruins, the very area from which wisps of smoke were constantly billowing out from the cracks.
Lin Xili immediately stepped forward: "Director Lu, I'll go with you!"
Lu Qingshu paused, looking at her through the window of her mask. "The situation down there is unclear. There is a high possibility of unknown chemical hazards. It's extremely dangerous."
"Your expertise and protection level are not sufficient. Stay here and wait."
"I'm fine!" Lin Xili didn't back down. "This is a good opportunity to gain experience in dealing with complex and dangerous situations."
"I am a forensic officer, and it is my duty to collect evidence, analyze physical evidence, and find out the truth."
She didn't want to miss any learning opportunities, and she certainly didn't want Director Lu to risk his life alone.
Lu Qingshu looked into her clear and courageous eyes and remained silent for a second.
She knew Lin Xili's abilities and potential, and understood the importance of such practical experience for a forensic officer.
Lu Qingshu nodded: "Follow me, and follow my instructions. You must not act on your own!"
She then shouted to Wei Dongyang, "Dongyang, arrange for a skilled deputy captain to come down with us, bringing gas detectors and emergency communication equipment!"
"Yes!" Wei Dongyang immediately assigned an experienced deputy captain to quickly equip the team.
Soon, Lu Qingshu, Lin Xili, and the deputy captain surnamed Zhang formed a temporary survey team.
Donning the highest level of protective gear and carrying portable multi-functional gas detectors and powerful flashlights, they stepped into the ruins still shrouded in eerie smoke, searching for the entrance to the underground space.
Outside the cordon, Huo Nanchen was still firmly blocked.
He watched as the three figures disappeared into the thick smoke and ruins, his heart pounding in his chest.
He knew better than anyone what deadly dangers might lurk beneath those seemingly peaceful ruins.
He could only stare intently in that direction, praying repeatedly in his heart.
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