Evacuation order lifted after Raeford ammonia leak
An ammonia leak at the House of Raeford poultry plant Wednesday afternoon forced evacuation of the factory and about 800 nearby homes.
Posted — UpdatedThe leak was reported around 2:30 p.m. It was contained by Wednesday evening and a crew was worked to ventilate the building. Authorities lifted the evacuation order just before 10:30 p.m.
About 1,448 residents within a half-mile radius of the plant received a reverse 911 call advising them to evacuate the area.
One employee of the turkey processing plant was taken to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center to be treated for minor exposure injuries.
Company spokesman Dave Witter said Wednesday there was some kind of mechanical failure in the refrigeration unit at the turkey processing plant, but he had no specific details as to what caused the leak. He said a small fire associated with the leak was extinguished.
Witter also said the plant, located about 90 miles southwest of Raleigh, would be closed on Thursday.
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