Paullina, Iowa (NorhtwestIowaNow.com) — A quick response from local agencies helped contain an anhydrous ammonia leak in rural O’Brien County last week.
The incident occurred just before 9 a.m. last Wednesday at the intersection of 470th Street and Starling Avenue, near Paullina.
The Paullina Fire Department and Ambulance Service were first on the scene, finding a small cloud of ammonia near the rear of a tractor’s toolbar. Firefighters used water to successfully control the hazardous area within about 20 minutes.
The leak was attributed to an equipment malfunction. The applicator operating the equipment was checked by ambulance personnel as a precaution, but there were no health concerns, and no evacuations or road closures were needed.
The scene was cleared in less than an hour. The O’Brien County Sheriff’s Office and AgState also assisted the Paullina Volunteer Fire Department with the call.
