Adding to updates:
Chemical Leak Causes Evacuations
Last updated: 2/18/04 9:21:51 AM
People who live in the Warren County town of Pleasant Plain are returning to their homes after a being evacuated Wednesday morning because of a chemical leak.
Police said they discovered early Wednesday morning that anhydrous-ammonia was leaking from tank at the Agra-Urban plant on Walnut Street. As of 7:20 a.m. Wednesday, the leak has been stopped but a chemical cloud remained.
Pleasant Plain has a population of 300 to 400 people, and most have been forced from their houses due to the fumes. Although fire crews had hoped to have residents return to their homes quickly, a lack of wind meant that residents weren't able to return until approximately 9:15 a.m.
Traffic in the area had been blocked off Wednesday morning.
Although it is not yet known why the leak happened, tanks just don't open themselves up, said the town's fire chief. There is suspicion that someone broke in to the fertilizer plant to steal the ammonia for a meth lab, but this has not been confirmed by police. (snipped)
http://www.wcpo.com/news/2004/local/02/18/evac.html Thanks Velveeta.