UPDATE: Fond du Lac Fire Rescue says they are no longer ordering neighbors to shelter-in-place.
Just after 8 p.m. Tuesday, the fire department posted on Facebook asking people living inside the area of Tompkins Street to Johnson Street, and Hickory Street to Brooke Street, to shelter-in-place after a hazardous chemical leak at dairy manufacturer Milk Specialties
Firefighters posted an update a few hours later no longer recommending the shelter-in-place.
The fire department later confirmed in a news release that the hazardous chemical leak was an ammonia leak involving the ammonia refrigeration system inside the plant.
Fire crews discovered low ammonia readings outside. The gas did not extend beyond the property. However, firefighters say they encountered extremely high readings of ammonia in a compressor room where the product is pressurized for cooling purposes.
Firefighters say they ordered nearby neighbors to shelter-in-place as a precaution while the gas was venting from the building. Firefighters and police officers knocked on doors in nearby neighborhoods to ask residents to stay inside.
One worker was taken to a local hospital for evaluation. No responders were hurt.
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ORIGINAL REPORTING: The Fond du Lac Fire Department asks residents to shelter in place Tuesday after a hazardous chemical release.
According to the City of Fond du Lac Fire Rescue's Facebook page in a post made before 8 p.m. a hazardous chemical release from dairy manufacturer Milk Specialties caused them to recommend people who live in the area stay inside in the area of Tompkins Street to Johnson Street and Hickory Street to Brooke Street.
Around 9 p.m. Lt. Matt Simon from the Fond du Lac Fire Rescue said the situation is ongoing and crews are working in the area. He said the factory was evacuated and he is unsure how much longer the scene will remain active.
Simon said Tompkins Street is blocked off in the area. He is not able to share what kind of hazardous chemical was released or how much of it, if any, has left the factory.
NBC 26 will continue to provide updates as they become available.
