ATLANTA — Atlanta Fire Rescue said there has been a major ammonia leak at a warehouse in the Edgewood area that used to be a food delivery company.
The incident happened around 2:30 p.m. at the building that used to house Schwan’s Home Delivery on Lemon Lane. Officials said the business has moved out of the building and crews were working to remove old ammonia tanks when a valve cracked, leaking 20,000 pounds of the caustic liquid.
The building has been evacuated.
No one has been injured, but Atlanta Fire Rescue said the incident is ongoing.
Neighbors reported a strong smell in the area. People who live nearby got an emergency alert asking them to shelter in place immediately and to not go outdoors.
A Wireless Emergency Alert to Shelter in Place has been sent to the immediate area of the ammonia incident at 1 Lemon Lane NE.
— Atlanta-Fulton County Emergency Management Agency (@AFCEMA) December 6, 2021
Those in the area should shelter in place, do not go outdoors. Close windows and doors, and turn off ventilation and HVAC systems, until further notice pic.twitter.com/UZCCUejtQd
Ammonia is widely used as a refrigerant gas. Schwan’s bills itself as a frozen grocery delivery company.
Ammonia can seriously irritate the respiratory tract and cause pulmonary edema, a potentially fatal accumulation of fluid in the lungs.
Atlanta Fire Rescue is asking that people avoid the intersection of Oakdale and DeKalb Ave. as well as Arizona Ave, which has been shut down to traffic.
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