Ammonia Leak Forces Evacuation Of Jay Chicken Processing Plant

JAY, Okla. (AP) _ An ammonia leak at a chicken processing plant causes local officials to evacuate the plant. <br/><br/>Police dispatcher Shirley Curtis says the leak happened at about 9:30 PM Friday at

Saturday, July 8th 2006, 9:33 am

By: News On 6

JAY, Okla. (AP) _ An ammonia leak at a chicken processing plant causes local officials to evacuate the plant.

Police dispatcher Shirley Curtis says the leak happened at about 9:30 PM Friday at the Simmons Chicken processing plant.

Jay Fire Chief Rick Goins says about 22 of the 130 workers who work on the plant's night shift were taken to hospitals.

Near the plant, officials blocked off US Highway 59, which is the main route through the Delaware County town of about 2,500.

They also evacuated about 30 homes for a brief time after the leak, which occurred when a valve on an ammonia tank popped off.

Jay Police Chief Mike Shambaugh says the leak has been contained.