Tewksbury Ammonia Leak Forces Evacuation Of Breakaway Ice Center

TEWKSBURY, MA — An ammonia leak at Breakaway Ice Center in Tewksbury forced the evacuation of the building and of homes in the immediate area Tuesday afternoon, the Tewksbury Fire Department said.

The leak, which was reported shortly after 3 p.m., occurred when a pressure relief valve released and caused ammonia to be released into the air, the fire department said.

Just after 5:30 p.m., the TFD tweeted that the area had been deemed safe and that all residents could return home.

The TFD said the incident resulted in a minor injury to a worker at Breakaway Ice Center, which is located at 20 Carter Street. The victim was transported to a local hospital for evaluation but later released.

According to fire department reports, the first arriving TFD crews on the scene assisted with the evacuation of people who were inside the building. Fire crews led the people out a rear door and away from the direction in which the wind was blowing, the TFD said.

Tewksbury Police Department officers were the next to arrive at the scene, and they evacuated homes in the area, authorities said.

According to the TFD, the District 6 Hazardous Materials Team Massachusetts Department of Fire Services arrived at the scene and was able to safely shut down the valves to the affected machinery.

"At this time, all meter readings taken in the building and throughout the neighborhood show no signs of any hazards," the TFD said in a statement Tuesday night.

TFD Chief Joseph Kearns said he was pleased with the quick response from his department. Kearns also thanked the TPD for helping with the evacuations and Andover Firefighters Local 1658, Billerica Fire, Wilmington Fire Department and Merrimack Valley Relief for playing a role in the response to the leak.