Authorities: Water Main Break At Smith’s Distribution Center Causes Ammonia Leak
Dec 11, 2019, 7:05 AM
Crews responded to the Smith's Distribution Center in Layton on Dec. 11, 2019, after a water main break caused a tank of ammonia to begin leaking.
LAYTON, Utah – A water main break at the Smith’s Layton Distribution center caused a tank of ammonia to begin leaking, authorities said.
Layton Fire Department Battalion Chief Jason Cook said crews responded to a fire alarm at approximately 5 a.m. Wednesday at the building, in the area of 500 North and 2200 West. At the scene, firefighters discovered it was an ammonia leak that triggered the alarm.
There were preliminary evacuations as a precaution. Employees were able to return to work after about 30 minutes.
The ammonia is used as a refrigerant and is stored in large quantities at the center, Cook said.
A water main broke earlier, officials said, which eroded dirt from under the concrete surface that was supporting the ammonia tanks. When the concrete shifted, it caused a small amount of ammonia to leak.
The chemical reportedly did not travel inside the building.
Cook said crews were able to stop both the water and the ammonia leaks. However, there are concerns because the water ended up moving a large portion of concrete.
