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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