A dozen workers injured in Batavia ammonia leak

A dozen workers were slightly injured after an ammonia leak at a Batavia ice cream distribution center late Thursday night, officials said.

Batavia Fire Department Battalion Chief Randy Banker said five of the workers at the Dean's Ice Cream distribution center at 1253 Kingsland Drive were taken to Delnor Hospital in Geneva with non-life-threatening injuries.

The remaining seven were treated at the facility but declined further medical attention, Banker said.

Fire crews received a call at about 10:38 p.m. Thursday saying numerous people were sick at the facility from an ammonia leak in a loading dock inside the 80,000-square-foot facility, Banker said.

Ammonia is used to help cool refrigeration units, Banker added.

The call triggered a hazardous materials response from area fire departments, Banker said, and fire crews from Geneva, Elburn, St. Charles, North Aurora, Fermilab and Aurora were called in to assist.

The leak was locked down and the building was ventilated, Banker said, and the area was back to normal by early Friday morning.

Banker said the cause is under investigation, but a faulty valve is being regarded as the likely source. He said there was "nothing new" regarding the investigation Friday night.