Press Release  Ammonia Leak Leads to Tier 2 Hazardous Materials In North Attleboro

NORTH ATTLEBORO — A severed line caused a heavy leak in a 1,000-gallon ammonia tank, prompting a large response from the North Attleboro Fire Department and the Department of Fire Services' Hazardous Materials Division, said Fire Chief Christopher Coleman and State Fire Marshal Jon Davine.

At approximately 10:00 am, the North Attleboro Fire Department responded to J.T. Inman Company at 31 Larsen Way for a report of an ammonia leak. All workers were able to safely exit the building before firefighters arrived. Out of an abundance of caution, two other businesses located next to J.T. Inman were also evacuated.  

Seven workers sustained injuries and were transported via ambulance to area hospitals for treatment. One patient was transported to Rhode Island Hospital in critical condition with non-life-threatening injuries. No firefighters sustained any injuries during the incident.

Chief Coleman requested a Tier 1 Hazmat response, and the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services Hazmat Response Team was called in to assess the scene. Based on their observations, the response was elevated to a Tier 2.   

The North Attleboro Board of Health, Building Department, and Department of Public Works also responded to the scene, as did the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration.  

While working to safely mitigate the leak, emergency crews shut off access to an exterior tank that was believed to be the source of the ammonia leak. The leak was contained to inside of the building. Hazmat crews also monitored the outside perimeter of the building to ensure there was no threat to the public.  

The North Attleboro Police Department closed the road while first responders were on scene but has since reopened it. The building was turned over to the tenant and will remain closed until further notice.

The preliminary investigation indicates that a line connected to a 1,000-gallon ammonia tank that was believed to be empty was cut, resulting in ammonia dispersing into the building. The exact cause remains under investigation by the North Attleboro Fire Department, DEP, EPA, and OSHA.

The fire departments of Plainville, Attleboro, Mansfield, Foxboro, Seekonk, Norfolk, Norton, and Cumberland, Rhode Island, provided mutual aid at the scene. They were supported Mansfield MEMA Rehab, Providence Canteen, and a DFS Rehab Unit. Station coverage was provided by the Wrentham, Easton, and Cumberland fire departments.

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