Temple, Texas-One person was hospitalized for a time and three others were treated and released from the effects of anhydrous ammonia released from a trailer-mounted tank inside a building late on Nov. 18 at Blackland Grain and Storage in Heidenheimer just southeast of here. “The trailer was inside a secured building (which required) our hazardous materials technicians to get a key from the property owner to open the door and go inside the building,” reported Thomas Pechal, spokesman for Temple Fire & Rescue, on the scene to assist Little River Academy Volunteer Fire Department, which initially responded to the call. “Once inside, they located the leaking tank and closed an open valve.” Pechal was not sure how or why the valve was open, but reported that the sheriff’s department determined there was no evidence of forced entry. He said the weather was cool that night with minimal wind, so he suspected windows and doors of homes in the vicinity were closed and no evacuations were required. However, HazMat team members checked on people living close to the Blackland Grain facility and found no one complaining of any medically related issues.
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