In the spring of 2024, emergency responders responded to an ammonia leak at a cold storage facility in southern Ontario. The incident occurred on the roof, where a corroded shut-off valve on the hot gas line of an ammonia center evaporator failed, resulting in the release of ammonia gas into the surrounding environment.
The cold storage facility handles perishable goods for distribution across the region and uses ammonia as a refrigerant. The leak was discovered by neighbouring residents who sensed the strong ammonia odour and promptly notified the local Fire Department. Firefighters responded quickly, evacuating nearby residences and establishing a perimeter to contain the hazardous area. There were no reported injuries.
The Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change’s Spills Action Centre alerted TSSA to investigate the incident.