Ammonia leak contained at ice factory near Midway Airport, shelter-in-place lifted in West Elsdon
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A large ammonia leak early Thursday morning at a company that manufacturers block and cubed ice prompted a hazardous materials response near Midway International Airport.
The incident left neighbors in the West Elsdon neighborhood sheltering in place for a few hours.
The leak started around 4:30 a.m. at Home City Ice, at 3600 W. 59th St. Fire crews in HAZMAT suits and breathing tanks entered to contain the leak. Chicago Fire Department District Chief Shun T. Haynes said crews shut off the valve for a leaking ammonia tank in the facility after finding it was already 90% empty as a steady and thick stream of ammonia gas leaked from a vent on the roof.
Ammonia, a colorless but highly irritating gas with a pungent odor, is often used in large freezing and refrigeration plants.
"The ammonia attacks your mucus membranes ... your respiratory system as well, and it can cause exterior burns to your skin," Haynes said.
Streets were closed near the facility, and neighbors were told to shelter in place with doors and windows closed as hazmat teams worked to contain the leak, but no evacuations were ordered.
No one was injured, and the Fire Department gave the all-clear shortly after 7:30 a.m. after the leak was stopped and enough, and the air quality was deemed safe.
It's still unclear what caused the ammonia tank to leak.
Facilities that produce ice and similar materials are subject to annual refrigeration inspection reports. CBS 2 dug into those inspection reports from Home City Ice and found mixed results.
The Chicago Department of Buildings has visited the West Elsdon facility nine times since 2018. Home City Ice passed every refrigeration inspection except the most recent one last October.
The company's Belmont Cragin facility has failed every annual refrigeration inspection since 2018. Last year, that site was ordered to repair or replace an ammonia sensor and to replace an ammonia compressor. For years before that, the city told them replacement of ammonia compressors was needed. In 2016, they were told to replace 33 ammonia relief valves.
CBS 2 knocked on doors and called Home City Ice for comment on the inspection reports but did not hear back.
The Department of Buildings has not yet responded to requests for information on any fines or punishments handed down to Home City Ice for the violations.
for more features.
