At approximately 1:35 p.m. on Friday, August 1st, the Clinton Fire Department was dispatched to the Schreiber Cheese Plant at 935 East Nusbaum following reports of an ammonia leak.
Upon arrival, fire crews were met by a Schreiber representative who informed them that an ammonia line had ruptured and was actively leaking. Schreiber’s in-house hazardous materials (hazmat) team had already initiated a response and was working to mitigate the leak.
Clinton fire crews prepared entry teams to assist with containment or perform rescue operations if necessary. Roughly ten minutes after the fire department’s arrival, the Schreiber hazmat team successfully stopped the leak.
Fire personnel remained on scene for approximately an hour and a half, using hose lines to disperse and control the remaining ammonia vapor cloud venting into the room where the leak originated. The chemical continued to evaporate as part of the containment process.
No injuries were reported as a result of the incident.
Officials commended the quick and effective response by Schreiber’s hazmat team, noting that their training and preparedness were instrumental in preventing harm.
Photos shared by the department were taken after the situation was fully under control and no longer posed a hazard.
