Emergency personnel were sent to the J.R. Simplot potato processing plant in Grand Forks, ND Saturday morning after ammonia leaked into the facility, local and national news organizations reported.
Called to the Gateway Drive location around 9:30 a.m., firefighters managed to bring the leak under control in about two hours, coverage by KNOX Radio detailed. Workers managed to evacuate the building safely, but one employee was evaluated by paramedics.
The leak occurred in a room inside the plant that had a ventilation system in place, the Associated Press (AP) said in an account.
No other businesses in the area were impacted during the incident, ValleyNewsLive.com said. Simplot employees assisted fire crews in the response.
Simplot’s Grand Forks plant manufactures various types of frozen French fries, frozen hashbrowns, and frozen tater gems, according to potato industry website PotatoPro.com. Products made at the site are sold in the US and international markets.
