Upper Valley Ammonia Leak Prompts Evacuation, Decontamination

EL PASO, TX – An ammonia leak at a buildingon Montoya Street near Doniphan prompted a midday evacuation Friday.

Emergency crews were dispatched to the Eagle Family Foods building at 255 Montoya shortly afternoon Fridayas workers complained of a strong ammonia odor. About 40 workers had to be evaluated.

12 units from the El Paso Fire Department,including3 EMS units are on scene, helpingevacuate workers from the building. A decontamination crew wearing hazmat uniforms arrived at the scene shortly before 1 p.m.

At the situation’s height, 15 units were on scene along with Sun Metro buses for the evacuees.

Fire investigators tell ABC-7 workers at the building were welding on containment units that store ammonia. According to them, acompressor was reported to be offline, adding to the pressure of the ammonia lines. Workers expected some ammonia to be released during the process. However, more got out that expected.

Workers on the scene told ABC-7 there were two leaks, with the second one being the worst one.

According to emergency radio traffic, at least 3 safety valves have been triggered, prompting the release of the ammonia gas.

Employees were allowed back into the facility shortly after 2:30. There were no reports of any injuries.