Businesses Evacuated In Blue Bell Ice Cream Ammonia Leak

Hazardous materials crews responded to an ammonia leak inside the Broken Arrow Blue Bell plant early Sunday morning. 

Sunday, May 10th 2015, 1:11 pm

By: Dee Duren

Businesses Evacuated In Blue Bell Ice Cream Ammonia Leak

Hazardous materials crews responded to an ammonia leak inside the Broken Arrow Blue Bell plant early Sunday morning. Two other nearby businesses were evacuated during the response.

Authorities closed Highway 51 for about 30 minutes as crews contained the small leak. The nearby Braum's and QuikTrip in the 8200 block of East Highway 51 were evacuated as a precautionary measure.

Plant Manager Marty Kilgore said they were alerted of the high level of ammonia by an alarm system. They believe a line released a small amount and the winds circulated it.

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"It was never above a threshold that was alarming, that would have been a concern for anyone in the community," he said.

Tulsa and Broken Arrow Fire Departments as well as Blue Bell's own Hazmat team respond. Kilgore praised the firefighters that responded to the leak as well as his own crews.

No injuries have been reported.