At least 7 victims remain hospitalized as Oklahoma town cleans up leak of ammonia gas

Seven Hospitalized After Ammonia Leak Forces Evacuations in Oklahoma Town

At least seven people remained hospitalized Friday with injuries sustained from an ammonia leak that forced hundreds to evacuate their homes in Weatherford, Oklahoma. Officials continue to investigate how the potentially deadly gas began leaking from a tanker truck parked outside a local hotel.

The incident occurred Wednesday night when a tanker carrying 25,000 pounds (11,340 kilograms) of anhydrous ammonia developed a leak that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has attributed to a faulty gasket. The leak prompted authorities to evacuate between 500 and 600 residents from their homes early Thursday, while others were instructed to shelter in place. Firefighters conducted door-to-door notifications throughout affected neighborhoods.

Airgas, the Philadelphia-area-based supplier transporting the chemical, confirmed in a statement Friday that the leak had been contained. “Our primary concern remains with all those impacted by this accident,” the company said. “We are grateful for the coordinated efforts of first responders and emergency personnel to prioritize the safety and well-being of the community of Weatherford.”

The health impact has been significant. According to police, 34 people were treated at a local hospital, with 11 transferred to facilities in the Oklahoma City area. Dozens more received treatment at casualty centers established to handle the emergency.

Seven patients remain under care at SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital in Oklahoma City, approximately 70 miles (115 kilometers) east of Weatherford. While the hospital has not released details on patients’ conditions, Weatherford Police Chief Angelo Orefice revealed that two victims, a husband and wife, remained on ventilators as of Friday.

The incident has also affected first responders. Chief Orefice reported that six of his officers suffered chemical burns to their throats from exposure to the gas and were temporarily off duty, though he noted, “They should be fine in a couple of days, according to the doctor.” The Oklahoma Highway Patrol added that three troopers experienced respiratory problems while assisting with evacuations, though none required hospitalization.

For residents, the experience was harrowing. Brittanie Braman, 25, whose home is within sight of the hotel where the leak occurred, described the overwhelming smell as she evacuated with her boyfriend, three dogs, and a cat. “Your eyes burn, your nose burns, everything,” she said. The couple spent the night in their Ford Mustang in a parking lot outside the evacuation zone.

“I had to put my arm over my mouth because it was just straight ammonia,” Braman recalled of the moments after a firefighter in full gear knocked on her door ordering an immediate evacuation.

Anhydrous ammonia, commonly used as an agricultural fertilizer for crops like corn and wheat, poses serious health risks. The colorless gas has a pungent odor and can be lethal at high concentrations. Even at lower levels, it can cause severe respiratory problems and burns to the skin and eyes.

This incident highlights the dangers associated with transporting hazardous materials through populated areas. Similar incidents have occurred recently elsewhere in the United States. Just last week, an anhydrous ammonia leak forced evacuations near Yazoo City, Mississippi. In a more tragic case two years ago, five people died in Illinois when a tanker truck spilled anhydrous ammonia after being forced off a road by a passing minivan.

The Weatherford community of approximately 12,000 residents continues to recover as officials work to ensure the area is safe. Authorities have not yet provided details on when all evacuated residents will be permitted to return to their homes, and the investigation into the specific circumstances leading to the leak remains ongoing.