Ammonia Leak Forces Evacuation, Snarls Traffic
- Share via
A Skid Row day-care center was evacuated and streets in downtown Los Angeles clogged with traffic when 30 gallons of ammonia spilled from a refrigeration tank Tuesday afternoon, city Fire Department officials said.
The leak occurred about 5 p.m. from a malfunctioning tank belonging to Youngs Market Co. in the 600 block of Gladys Avenue. Most of the liquid became gas and dissipated into the air, officials said. But a nose-wrinkling odor enveloped two Skid Row blocks, leading school officials to evacuate 25 children from the Para Los Ninos day-care center.
“The smell got so strong, just like a big laundry,” said day-care center worker Wendy Sanchez.
Fire officials said no one was injured. Police blocked off 5th and 6th streets while firefighters mopped up the spilled liquid.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
