Ammonia leak: Residents temporarily urged to keep windows closed

SHEBOYGAN (WITI) -- Sheboygan residents were temporarily urged to keep their windows closed Saturday evening, May 24th. This, after someone reported the odor of ammonia near 8th and Michigan.

The odor was detected shortly after 5 p.m. and a fire unit responded to the area to investigate.

The odor of ammonia was detected by fire crews at the rear of a building.

A Fire Department spokesman tells FOX6 News the scene was declared safe around 10:30 a.m. Sunday -- after a truck collected an anhydrous ammonia tank that had been leaking inside the building.

The ammonia tank was apparently in the freezer compressor room in the basement of the property.

Neighbors had been urged to keep their windows closed on Saturday evening and Sunday morning -- but a Fire Department spokesman tells FOX6 News the ammonia didn't vent out in very concentrated levels.

However, the Sheboygan County Hazmat Team was called to the scene to assist.

The Fire Department spokesman says there is a crack in the 800 gallon ammonia tank.

City records show this property is owned by Three Twins Organic Inc. and it is the site of the former Zurheide Ice Cream Co.

A business to be located in the building was scheduled to open on June 8th -- and now, that opening will likely be delayed.

No one was injured in connection with this ammonia leak.

Crews were on hand to help isolate the leak and monitor the neighborhood with meters to help ensure early detection of ammonia should the situation change.