Crews Respond to Leak at Chicken Plant

The atmospheric conditions kept the gas cloud over the plant, so nearby residences weren't affected.

It's not clear what caused the leak, but officials say ammonia is used in the plant's refrigeration unit.
It's not clear what caused the leak, but officials say ammonia is used in the plant's refrigeration unit.

NEW HOLLAND, Pa. (AP) — Emergency crews say employees got out safely after ammonia leaked at a chicken processing plant in Pennsylvania, apparently from the facility's refrigeration system.

Larry Martin, the Garden Spot fire rescue chief says two security workers smelled the gas about 1 a.m. Monday and reported it at the plant in New Holland.

Emergency officials say fewer workers were in the building than normal because the plant wasn't operating Monday.

A Tyson spokesman didn't immediately return phone and email messages for comment Tuesday.

Martin says the atmospheric conditions kept the gas cloud over the plant, so nearby residences weren't affected.

It's not clear what caused the leak, but officials say ammonia is used in the plant's refrigeration unit.

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