Fire Department Urges Caution Following Anhydrous Release Near Windsor

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Published on November 12 2015 1:43 pm
Last Updated on November 12 2015 2:19 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

No one was injured from a leak of anhydrous ammonia near Windsor.

Windsor Fire Protection District firefighters were called out about 4pm Tuesday to a field scene where the leak occurred. A supply line broke off and liquid anhydrous was spraying the back of the tractor being used to spray the field.

Firefighters say the field was surrounded by trees, meaning little to no wind could dissipate the ammonia cloud, creating a potentially lethal situation. The tractor operator and a fellow employee took action to get away from the tractor unharmed.

Fire crews arrived, closed the road along the field, donned proper gear to approach the tractor, and shut the leak down.

Anhydrous ammonia is being used throughout the area now that harvest is nearing completion. An uncontrolled release could cause real problems and any motorist encountering a cloud that can't be fog is encouraged to turn around and leave the area and contact 911. Firefighters say anhydrous ammonia vapors can kill an engine and then creep into your vehicle, removing oxygen from inside the vehicle.

Anhydrous ammonia is a useful tool to farmers and poses minimal to no threat unless its release becomes uncontrolled.