25 Evacuated After Ammonia-Based Leak
An ammonia-based chemical used in refrigeration leaked at a south Oxnard produce plant Friday afternoon and caused the evacuation of 25 people but left no one injured, authorities said.
The Ventura County Fire Department received a call about 5:40 p.m. reporting a “strong smell of ammonia” near the San Miguel Produce plant on Navalair Road near the Point Mugu Navy base, county fire spokeswoman Karen Nelson said.
Residents of a nearby mobile home park reported seeing a large cloud coinciding with the smell, Nelson said. Firefighters said the “cloud” was more likely fog.
Ten residents of the mobile home park evacuated voluntarily, and 20 people were told to stay inside their homes. In addition, 15 people at the San Miguel plant were evacuated, Nelson said.
About 6 p.m. the leak, which was traced to a pipe on a delivery truck, was secured by plant personnel, authorities said.
“It was ammonia refrigerant,” Nelson said.
The amount of refrigerant that escaped is not known, Nelson said.
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