Aug 19, 2008 10:59 pm US/Central
Ammonia Leak At Kemps Building Sends 3 To Hospital
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) ―
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According to authorities, an ammonia leak was reported around 6:30 p.m. at the Kemps building located at 420 West Broadway, just off Interstate 94.
CBS
Three people went to the hospital Thursday night after a chemical problem at a popular Minnesota ice-cream maker.
According to authorities, an ammonia leak was reported around 6:30 p.m. at the Kemps building located at 420 West Broadway, just off Interstate 94.
The Minneapolis Fire Department said that Kemps uses the ammonia for cooling. The Kemps building lost water pressure, so the water could not cool the large ammonia tanks used to keep products like the ice cream cold.
There's a pressure valve on the roof that releases ammonia if the pressure in the tank is too high. Investigators say 10 to 15 gallons of the ammonia then accumulated on the roof.
A maintenance man on the roof was exposed to the ammonia and was transported to the hospital for shortness of breath.
About 40 workers were evacuated as firefighters diluted the chemical with water. Two firefighters working on the scene were also transported to North Memorial for evaluation from ammonia exposure.
"Two of our firefighters were transported. They're in good shape. They are being released back to work, there was no problem with them," said Deputy Chief John Szczech.
Investigators say the firefighters that breathed in the chemical should be OK.
There is no word on the condition of the maintenance worker who was also taken to the hospital, but he is expected to be OK.
Broadway Avenue was blocked off for about an hour but traffic is moving there once again.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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