Attempted theft of ammonia gas appears to be the cause of a leak in the 300 block of Railroad Avenue North that was first reported at 6:45 a.m. The leak was from an exterior valve at a local cold storage facility that someone apparently opened without the permission of the business. Ammonia is used in their refrigeration process.

Kent Regional Fire Authority firefighters quickly cordoned off an area surrounding the business and Kent police closed West James Street in both directions in order to ensure that no one was exposed to the toxic gas. The gas leak also affected the operations of Mill Creek Middle School and the Regional Justice Center. Fortunately, no gas reached either facility. Because the wind was blowing from the east, the Metro Transit Center and Sounder Train Station were not closed but were monitored closely.

In order to deal with a possible gas leak of this type, fire department hazardous material response teams from throughout south King County were also dispatched. Teams from Renton, Tukwila, the Port of Seattle, and Boeing assisted the Kent Fire Department Hazardous Materials Response Team. King County Paramedics and SeaTac Fire Department’s Rehab unit also responded to support the operation.

Hazardous materials technicians in fully encapsulating suits were able to shut off the gas leak by 9 a.m. Once the gas dissipated (ammonia is lighter than air), they were able to determine that there were no further leaks. Tests done inside of the cold storage facility showed that no gas had penetrated into the structure and employees were allowed inside shortly after that. It is unknown how much gas escaped out of the exterior valve.

There were no reports of any injuries due to the ammonia gas. The potential for injuries was very high due to the nature of this caustic compound. Ammonia can be toxic and in a gaseous form will cause respiratory distress and eye irritation.

No employees were in the facility at the time of the leak, but arrived later in the morning and provided critical information about the refrigeration system and valves. The Department of Ecology and the Environmental Protection Agency were notified of the leak.

For information on the theft investigation, please contact the Kent Police Department at 253-856-5800.