Local officials say workers at a Coca-Cola plant in Florida have been forced to evacuate after a major chemical spill. The leak also prompted a short shelter request for residents of the area.
A massive 20,000-gallon tank was found to be leaking ammonia at a facility in Auburndale, Fla., early Wednesday morning, a city spokesperson told a local Fox affiliate, noting that all employees have been evacuated from the plant.
Residents living in a two-block area near the factory were also told to take shelter after the discovery, although the order was rescinded several hours later, after firefighting crews managed to limit the leak. The clean-up was reportedly completed sometime around 3:30 p.m.
There were no reports of serious injuries to employees or local residents, although Coca-Cola later issued a statement noting that “a few electricians working nearby” sought medical attention for “minor eye and throat irritation.” “.
Deputy Fire Chief David Cash said some citizens had called to complain about a chemical odor and “irritation” that may have been caused by the leak, but they claimed the substance was largely contained at the plant.
“[Ammonia] comes out as a liquid and then it evaporates into a vapor. We had both issues going. And the vapor went outside the plant, a small amount of it. The liquid was contained, and we mixed water with it. You can spray water on it and that reduces that and it was all that,” he said. It’s inside the lab and inside its filtration system so none of that escapes the scene.”
Cash said the leak was caused by a problem with the “piping” in the 20,000-gallon container, adding that while contractors were doing work at the plant near the leak site, “they followed all the rules and did everything right.” It was not clear for what purpose the chemical was used at the facility.
Coca-Cola also apologized to employees and local residents “for the inconvenience this may have caused them,” stressing that “its first priority is always the safety of our employees and nearby residents.”