Editor's note: Since initial publication, this story has been updated with a few additional details. Limited information has been available so far as crews remained at the scene Friday evening. More is expected later.
WILLMAR — Willmar authorities closed County Road 5 Northwest for several hours Friday afternoon after receiving a report of a chlorine leak.
The call reporting a leaking chlorine cylinder was received at 12:33 p.m. Friday, according to the Willmar Police Department media report.
The Willmar Police Department, Willmar Fire Department and Blomkest Fire Department responded to the initial call.
There had not yet been any official statements as of 5:30 p.m. Friday, and emergency vehicles were still on the scene at that time.
Firefighters were observed wearing protective gear. Those dealing directly with the leak donned full-cover blue protective suits. Their colleagues hosed off their suits as they left the area of the leak.
ADVERTISEMENT
County Road 5 was closed between the Word of Faith Family Church and the Herzog Apartments north of U.S. Highway 12.
An email sent after 5 p.m. Friday to residents of the Herzog Apartments asked tenants to enter the complex from the north. The email said the leak was coming from a shed behind one of its buildings, but the shed is owned by the city and not part of the apartment complex.
Residents along 29th Street Northwest were observed being evacuated from the scene, and pedestrians were advised to move away from the scene and/or find a vehicle in which to wait.
The Trust Project
