Ammonia Leak at Local Plant Concerns Residents
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EAST JACKSON — Neighbors were advised to stay indoors and employees evacuated out of a building, after an ammonia leak at Pinnacle Foods, Wednesday morning. A call went out at around 9 a.m. reporting a “large ammonia leak”. Officials say it was a result of a malfunctioning valve located on an outside tank. According to Madison County EMA director Marty Clements, one person was transported to the hospital, but some residents said they were also concerned for their safety. “When I walked outside, I smelled a very strong vapor,” Allen Granberry who lives in a nearby mobile home community said. “I called police and they told me to stay inside until the situation was under control.” According to fire officials, it took less than 30 minutes to contain the leak, but hours to ensure the building was safe, as vapors lingered around. “Ammonia is thicker than air so it will sit longer,” Clements said. The cause is still under investigation.
