Ammonia Gas Leak Sparks Emergency in Oklahoma Town
A dangerous ammonia gas leak from a tanker truck enveloped the small city of Weatherford, Oklahoma, overnight, triggering a major emergency response. The incident, which began shortly before 10 p.m. on Wednesday, led to hundreds of evacuations and sent several dozen people to hospital for treatment.
Community in Crisis: Evacuations and Hospitalisations
Authorities confirmed that people in the immediate area experienced respiratory distress following the release of anhydrous ammonia gas. Police Chief Angelo Orefice stated that while most patients were taken to a local hospital, some, including four individuals in critical condition, required transfer to other medical facilities for further care.
The scale of the disruption was significant, with at least 500 to 600 people seeking refuge in a shelter by early Thursday morning. Others were initially instructed to shelter in place, an order that was later lifted on Thursday morning. The emergency measures extended to the evacuation of several nursing homes and the closure of local schools for the day.
Emergency Response and Ongoing Investigation
The leak originated from a tanker truck that the driver had parked behind a Holiday Inn hotel while he went to get a room for the evening. Emergency officials, including hazmat crews and a unit from the Oklahoma National Guard, responded to the scene wearing gas masks and going door-to-door to alert residents.
Krystal Blackwell, one of the evacuees, described the chaotic scene, telling KWTV-TV, "It was a little crazy to wake up to. I really thought it was a kind of dream." She recounted sitting in her car, still in her pyjamas.
Police Chief Orefice indicated that the cleanup could take several days, though officials had managed to dilute much of the gas. He also stated that the initial cause of the leak appears to be a mechanical failure on a valve or a faulty seal. The industrial gas distributor Airgas, which owned the truck, said it was cooperating with local authorities and emphasised that anhydrous ammonia warrants cautious handling.
This incident follows another anhydrous ammonia leak last week in Mississippi, highlighting the risks associated with transporting the chemical, which is commonly used as an agricultural fertiliser. Weatherford, with a population of approximately 12,000, is located about 70 miles west of Oklahoma City.
