(The following story by Kristy Woodson appeared on the Salisbury Post website on May 18.)
SALISBURY, N.C. — Emergency officials responded to a suspected anhydrous ammonia spill from a rail car in north Salisbury on Monday.
The chemical, a source of nitrogen fertilizer for crops, may cause burns if handled improperly.
After careful testing, officials linked the presence of anhydrous ammonia to a small vapor leak, according to Emergency Services Director Frank Thomason.
Norfolk Southern officials called in the alert at 4:42 a.m., and Salisbury fire crews, the Rowan-Salisbury Hazardous Materials Team and Rowan County Emergency Management, among others, responded, preparing for the worst.
Setting up a station at the corner of North Lee and 15th streets, not far from several side tracks, firefighters attempted to find the car with the suspected leak.
Officials also activated a Regulatory Response Team out of Charlotte to assist but soon canceled the call after finding no active leak, according to Assistant Fire Chief Rick Fesperman.
After a series of tests, emergency officials confirmed that no toxic chemical had been spilled, Fesperman said.
Moments later, officials found a bad plug on the top of one car. Officials determined that anhydrous ammonia vapor was leaking from the damaged plug, not spilled.
Fesperman said a worker from Laroche Industries repaired the plug.
Authorities reported no injuries from the incident, which crews wrapped up around 7:30 a.m.