Baton Rouge — An anhydrous ammonia leak at Reddy Ice Facility that was detected and reported by a pastor who lives nearby caused fire department officials to evacuate a two-block radius Thursday, Jan. 10, including 26 children at St. Francis Xavier Catholic School day care center. Fire department spokesman Curt Monte said it took the hazmat team about an hour to find the source of the leak – a valve stem on an ammonia tank – and close it. “No one really knew how much ammonia leaked from the tank during that time,” he said. “We evacuated the school and the church next door. Two homes across the street were also evacuated. We also sent out a notice to the media and contacted parents to pick their kids up from the school where they were taken.” Although no injuries were reported from the incident and the area was declared safe just after 9 p.m., firefighters told residents to stay in their houses during the cleanup process. Local residents have already filed lawsuits over the incident, according to the local press, citing the lack of notification by the company and safety concerns.
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