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Anhydrous Ammonia Leak in Randolph on December 8, 2010
The Dakota County Sheriff’s Office, along with several area fire departments, responded to an accidental release of anhydrous ammonia. According to Sheriff Dave Bellows, the chemical was being pumped from a semi into a storage tank when the line ruptured, sending the ammonia into the air. The incident occurred at the River Country Co-Op, located at 4411 Upper 291st Street East in Randolph.
An ammonia cloud approximately the size of a football field formed after the release and traveled in a southwesterly direction into the downtown area of Randolph. The Randolph Fire Department ordered the downtown area of Randolph, in addition to the Elementary and High School located at 29110 Davisson Avenue, be evacuated The school has a student population of approximately 550 students. The Dakota Communications Center (DCC) alerted area residents using the Code Red Program. This system contacts residents by phone, advising them of the current situation and to evacuate.
During the evacuation, approximately 55 students experienced a potential exposure to the chemical cloud. The affected students were transported by ambulance to area hospitals for further medical evaluation as a precaution. The hospitals receiving the students included Cannon Falls, Northfield, Regina in Hastings, and Fairview Ridges in Burnsville.
Residents were allowed to return to their homes after an “all clear” was given at 1:00 PM by the fire department. School officials announced the school would remain closed for the rest of the day and a decision will be made this afternoon when to reopen.
The Dakota County Special Operations Team (SOT) also responded to the scene of the chemical release. The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the State Patrol and Goodhue County Sheriff’s Office.
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This page was last updated on: 12/09/2010
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