In brief
A serious gas leak from a tanker truck prompted emergency evacuations in Weatherford, Oklahoma, affecting over 500 residents and sending 30 to the hospital. The anhydrous ammonia leak caused respiratory distress, and some individuals remain in critical condition. Emergency services responded quickly, lifting the shelter-in-place order as cleanup and monitoring efforts continue.
A leaking tanker truck spewed dangerous gas in a hotel parking lot, forcing hundreds of residents in a small Oklahoma city to evacuate and sending several dozen people to the hospital, authorities said Thursday.
Officials lifted a shelter-in-place order Thursday morning, hours after emergency workers wearing gas masks went door-to-door in Weatherford, waking people and telling them to leave because of fumes from the anhydrous ammonia leak.
Roughly 30 people were taken to a local hospital, said Police Chief Angelo Orefice, with some individuals requiring further treatment, including four who are in critical condition. Authorities and hospitals didn’t immediately respond to inquiries regarding patient conditions.
The tanker truck began releasing ammonia gas late Wednesday night, causing respiratory issues for immediate residents, city officials reported at a news conference.
At least 500 to 600 residents sought shelter early Thursday, while others were advised to stay indoors for several hours. Nursing homes were also evacuated, and schools were closed for the day.
“It was crazy to wake up to,” recalled Krystal Blackwell, who was evacuated by emergency personnel. “I thought it was a dream.”
The driver of the truck, which was parked behind a Holiday Inn, experienced a mechanical failure on a valve or faulty seal, according to Police Chief Orefice.
Anhydrous ammonia is commonly used as a farm fertilizer. The colorless gas has a pungent odor and can be fatal at high concentrations, leading to pulmonary issues and skin burns.
Last week, a similar leak from an explosion at a plant in Mississippi also prompted evacuations and caused a hazardous plume of smoke.
As the city of 12,000 continues to deal with the aftermath, officials expect cleanup to take several days. The air quality is being monitored closely, and the tanker truck is no longer leaking. Various agencies, including hazmat teams and the Oklahoma National Guard, are assisting in the response.
Industrial gas distributor Airgas is working alongside local authorities, highlighting the need for cautious handling of anhydrous ammonia and recommending that residents heed instructions from emergency services.
