HARRIS COUNTY – A shelter-in-place issued for residents in certain areas of west Harris County has been lifted after a chemical leak containing anhydrous ammonia was detected at a warehouse Sunday morning, officials said.
The order was issued at around 9 a.m., urging residents to stay inside as crews fixed the leak.
According to officials with the Harris County Fire Marshal’s office, the leak occurred while a contractor was performing maintenance on the refrigeration system.
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said via Twitter that she was closely monitoring the chemical leak. Shortly before 1 p.m., she tweeted that the shelter-in-place order has been lifted.
Great news! Ammonia tank now empty. Readings show no ammonia in the area. Shelter-in-place is lifted. TXDPS is reopening roads. We'll continue monitoring & work with facility for safe reopening/investigation. Thank you to ESD48/1st responders. Readings: https://t.co/ainGTARVaX
— Lina Hidalgo (@LinaHidalgoTX) February 12, 2023
RELATED: What is anhydrous ammonia and why is it harmful?
WHAT HAPPENED?
Harris County ESD No. 48 received an alarm at around 8:42 p.m. Saturday for a leak at the 99 Cent Distribution Center in the 23600 block of Colonial Parkway.
When officials arrived, they discovered an active leak containing anhydrous ammonia from an overhead refrigerator line inside the building.
Officials said maintenance work was being done on the refrigeration at the time the leak was reported.
When the leak got stronger, McAteer said crews had to be pulled out of the warehouse.
“We will begin our investigation from the Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office to determine how this occurred, what events took place, what mitigation needs to occur. The facility is going to be shut down until some of those things are reviewed. We will work with the county attorney’s office,” Chief Laurie Christensen with the Harris County Fire Marshal Office said.
Roads close towards 99¢ store warehouse due to an active leak of anhydrous ammonia.
— Rilwan Balogun (@KPRC2Rilwan) February 12, 2023
Officials say they were notified last night. They tell us it was contained to the building until 1 this morning. They cannot reach the line because it is 16ft in the air. https://t.co/ofiV1VC17j pic.twitter.com/kdYQKcdlZp
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Hazmat crews could not reach the line where the leak was detected as it became inaccessible, McAteer said.
The chemical was contained in the building initially. Air monitors near the warehouse started to detect the leak escaping the building at around 1 a.m. Sunday.
Harris County Hazmat Team, Harris County Pollution Control, and Harris County Public Health Department were called to assist along with Harris County Sheriff’s Office, Harris County Pct. 5 Constable, TxDOT and Harris County Mutual Aid.
No injuries have been reported.
Both directions at I-10 Katy Freeway near Grand Parkway are shut down as crews contain the chemical leak.