Hundreds evacuated and dozens hospitalized after an ammonia gas leak in Oklahoma

Authorities person evacuated hundreds from a metropolis successful Oklahoma aft a tanker motortruck spewed anhydrous ammonia state successful a edifice parking lot

WEATHERFORD, Okla. -- Hundreds of radical were evacuated from a metropolis successful Oklahoma and others were told to structure successful spot aft a tanker motortruck that was leaking successful a edifice parking batch spewed a plume of anhydrous ammonia gas, authorities said Thursday.

The state merchandise happened soon earlier 10 p.m. Wednesday. People successful the contiguous country were successful respiratory distress and astatine slightest 36 radical were taken to a section hospital, metropolis officials said astatine a quality conference.

At slightest 500 to 600 radical were successful a structure arsenic of Thursday morning, authorities said. Several nursing homes were evacuated and schools were closed for the day.

Authorities said the aerial prime was being monitored and that the tanker motortruck was nary longer spewing gas.

Anhydrous ammonia is utilized arsenic a fertilizer to assistance supply nitrogen for maize and wheat plants. If a idiosyncratic touches it erstwhile it is successful state oregon liquid form, they could beryllium burned. Last week, an anhydrous ammonia leak caused by an explosion astatine a plant northbound of Yazoo City, Mississippi, prompted evacuations for adjacent residents.

Weatherford has astir 12,000 residents and is astir 70 miles (113 kilometers) westbound of Oklahoma City.

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