1. UPDATE: Roads open after ammonia leak at Brookshire’s warehouse, employees allowed back in
2. Tyler Fire Marshal’s Office releases cause of ammonia leak at Brookshire’s warehouse

An ammonia leak at the Brookshire Grocery Co. warehouse Friday resulted in the warehouse’s evacuation, several people being treated at area hospitals and traffic delays at a key city intersection for morning commuters.

The leak occurred shortly after 6 a.m. at the warehouse at the intersection of Loop 323 and Old Jacksonville Highway. A total of 11 people were treated and released from area hospitals after the incident. In addition some people were treated with oxygen at the scene.

A news release from the company said the leak happened at a refrigerated warehouse and was quickly contained.

“The safety and well-being of our employees and the community are our highest priority,” Ellen Reynolds, communications director for the company, said in the news release. “We are working closely with the Tyler fire, police and emergency first responders to address the situation.”

Those groups responded at 6:13 a.m. to reports of a leak and quickly closed down the area surrounding the warehouse. The smell of ammonia was strong in the immediate area, and residents in nearby neighborhoods and students at Rice Elementary were told to shelter in place until about mid-morning. 

Grace Community School’s elementary campus on Old Jacksonville Highway closed Friday because of the leak, and several other nearby businesses also closed because of the smell or traffic issues. 

The owner of All American Party Rental said he was unable to get to his business and already was taking calls Friday morning from anxious brides who have weddings this weekend. And employees at the Dunkin Donuts on Loop 323 had to halt drive-through operations after being told by the health and fire departments not to serve out of the drive-through until the air cleared.

Ammonia is used as a refrigerant in large industrial freezing and refrigeration plants and it can cause irritation to the airways and mucus membranes if someone comes in contact with with the gas.

Employees and a truck driver who were at the distribution center at the time of the incident reported seeing a cloud that resembled fog come up into the area. 

Local hazmat crews remained on site for hours after the incident and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality said the agency dispatched staff to the Brookshire’s warehouse. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration also is investigating.