In pics | Is that ice? Is that snow? No, it’s just a sea of foam in California

A fire alarm in an airport hangar in the US state reportedly malfunctioned and the fire retardant foam began to fill the street in Santa Clara to Mineta San Jose International Airport just on Friday, according to San Jose Police.

It’s winter in California and the streets in Santa Clara are all in a white blanket. But hey, that’s not snow.

A TV cameraman films fire retardant foam blowing in the wind after a fire alarm malfunctioned in a hangar according to local media, near the San Jose airport in Santa Clara, California, US on Friday. (Reuters)

A fire alarm in an airport hangar in the US state reportedly malfunctioned and the fire retardant foam began to fill the street in Santa Clara to Mineta San Jose International Airport just on Friday, according to San Jose Police.

The release of the fire retardant, technically an “aqueous film-forming foam”, has now flooded the streets, setting scenes of freezing winters, minus the chill.

“It feels like soap,” said one man caught up in the spectacle.

Fire retardant foam is seen blowing in the wind after a fire alarm malfunctioned in a hangar according to local media, near the San Jose airport in Santa Clara, California.

Images show the foam being blown by the wind and has settled on roofs, windows and even engulfed cars.

The foam had almost covered a car on the street

Police set up a roadblock to keep people from driving or walking through the fire retardant foam.

The public has been warned not to touch the foam as it is a skin irritant, the BBC reported.

Although the foam was not dangerous, assembled onlookers have been warned against coming in contact with the foam.