Seventy employees evacuated, three hospitalized after ammonia leak at Wheeling pizza factory
Posted August 01, 2021 1:00 am
An hazardous materials leak at a Wheeling pizza factory sent three employees to local hospitals with minor injuries and caused the evacuation of approximately 70 employees Saturday.
Wheeling fire crews were called to Richelieu Foods, 120 W. Palatine Road, at around 3:30 p.m. Saturday.
Officials identified the material as anhydrous ammonia, used for the refrigeration of processed food.
Fire officials said crews mitigated the leak and then remained on location to ventilate the 500,000-square-foot factory, which makes and freezes pizzas.
No firefighters were injured. Hazardous materials technicians from approximately 20 neighboring towns responded, fire officials said.
The source of the leak has not been yet been identified.
Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked.
If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.