Tuesday, May 19, 2015

FRESH EXPRESS PLANT IN CLAYTON CO., GEORGIA EVACUATED OF ITS 400 EMPLOYEES AFTER AMMONIA LEAK FROM A DAMAGED PIPE











MAY 18, 2015

MORROW, GEORGIA

The Fresh Express plant in Clayton County was evacuated on Monday after an ammonia leak, fire officials said.

According to the Clayton County Fire Department, the leak was contained in a 5000 square foot room at the facility on Southern Road. The leak is believed to have been caused by a faulty pipe.

People were alerted by an alarm and a strong odor spread.

There were no reports of injuries.

The plant's 400 employees were evacuated, as well as other local businesses on Jonesboro Road and South Citizens Parkway.

Jonesboro Road was reopened just before 5 p.m.

Fire officials gave the all-clear sign just before 6 p.m. Cleaning crews entered the facility to prepare the building to reopen for business.

Clayton County Fire Dept. Chief Landry Merikson said that ammonia can cause throat irritation, lung irritation, and, at the right levels, can be fatal.

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MORROW, GEORGIA

Clayton County firefighters are getting ready to enter Fresh Express in Morrow in Level 3 hazmat suits in an attempt to clean up an ammonia leak.

Spokesman Battalion Chief David Vasquez told Clayton News that officials are asking residents to stay out of the area. Part of Southern Road where the Fresh Market is located is blocked off and clogged up with tractor trailers trying to make deliveries.

Vazquez said 400 people evacuated the building when the leak was reported at about 11:59 a.m. The ammonia has allegedly been contained to one room and there are no injuries or sicknesses reported at this time.

He said the ammonia Fresh Express uses is more dangerous than its household counterpart because it’s a higher concentration used for refrigerating and cleaning the entire building.

The firefighters cleaning the leak are covered in Level 3 hazmat suits and will use breathing apparatuses so they are in no way exposed to the concentration.

Officials are unsure at this time when the building will be safe to re-enter.

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