April 19, 1995

Firefighters stop toxic leak

       Firefighters from White River Township and Greenwood helped control a leak of toxic anhydrous ammonia Wednesday at Bluffdale Farm in White River Township.  No one was injured or evacuated in the incident, which occupied emergency crews for about three hours starting around 9 p.m.  White River Capt. Joe Marsh said the anhydrous ammonia, which is used to prepare fields for planting corn, can be toxic.  “It is nasty stuff if you are in it,” Marsh said.  We were lucky it was in a secluded area ... we had a nice breeze which let it dissipate before it got to any populated area.” Firefighters in sealed chemical suits were able to shut off the ammonia, which escaped from a piece of farm equipment after a valve inadvertently was left open.  Spencer Richards, owner of the farm near Smith Valley Road and State Road 37, said he’s glad the incident ended without injury.  He was listening to the Pacers game about 80 yards upwind from the leak. He suffered only sinus congestion a result of the leak.  (Reprinted with permission from the Daily Journal)

 

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