An ammonia leak in southwest Fresno sent three people to the hospital and forced evacuations. Weather played a part in exposing employees to harmful fumes.
Firefighters got the call around 5:00 a.m. Thursday morning. About 50 workers were at the Golden State Vintners facility on Central avenue when the leak occurred.
At first, employees were told to go to the west side of the building because wind was taking the ammonia to the east. Firefighters say shifting winds made the evacuation difficult.
An employee at the plant told KSEE24 that the fumes blew directly into the evacuation zone. Some people immediately fell to the ground and everyone else ran in all directions.
Police set up a one mile perimeter around the facility. Nearby residents and businesses were evacuated.
The leak was contained before 1:00 p.m. The cause is still under investigation.
TXT 24
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