The Associated Press
SEWARD, Ill. — Several hundred residents returned home Tuesday after a chemical leak at an agriculture plant sickened at least 10 people and prompted evacuations in three small northern Illinois towns, authorities said.
No one was seriously injured, and no major disruptions or problems were reported, officials said.
Seward, a town of about 300 people, was mostly empty for more than 12 hours after officials ordered an evacuation because of leaking anhydrous ammonia, which can be fatal if inhaled.
Late Monday, workers at Seward Agricultural Supply Inc. were transferring the chemical from a storage tank to a tanker truck when a hose burst, State Police Sgt. Mark Nytko said.
The leak also led to voluntary evacuations of nearby Pecatonica and Winnebago. Residents there were allowed to return early Tuesday, shortly after the leak was stopped, officials said.
“It works a lot like fog, I’m told. When the sun comes up and the wind comes up, it dissipates,” said Kurt Ditzler, chief deputy of the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department.
Larry Johnson, assistant manager of Seward Agricultural Supply, said the company would investigate. Ditzler said state and local authorities also would investigate.
Ten people were treated for respiratory problems or skin irritations, said Mike Wiltse, a spokesman for Rockford Memorial Hospital. Nine were treated and released, and one woman was released Tuesday morning, Wiltse said.