The Associated Press
Deseret Morning News (Salt Lake City)
Copyright 2006 The Deseret News Publishing Co.
TWIN FALLS, Idaho — About 150 workers at a ConAgra Foods potato processing plant in southern Idaho were evacuated after ammonia began spilling through a broken valve.
No injuries were reported, but 11 firefighters from three Twin Falls Fire Department engines entered the plant in yellow hazardous materials suits to help speed the evacuation Wednesday.
A contractor working on the south end of the roof dropped something onto an outdoor refrigeration unit and broke a valve, Twin Falls Fire Department Battalion Chief Gary Earl said.
“The pipe was carrying liquid ammonia,” Earl said. “It vaporized in the air. They said they had one person out there and possibly a couple in a neighboring building that the medics went and checked out.”
The leak was contained in about 2 1/2 hours.
High concentrations of ammonia can be hazardous to lungs, eyes and skin.