Fire Department Struggles Due to Harmful Ammonia Leak
In an incident that took place on Prosper Street, Bottrop, at around 11:47 AM, the local fire department was called to the Alpincenter due to an ammonia leak in a technical room.
Upon arrival, firefighters found that a barn door had burned but had already been extinguished by the property owner. The Alpincenter, which was closed for renovation work, posed no threat to the surroundings as the leak was contained within the building.
Dr. Peter Hoffmann, a specialist from the Chemiepark Marl, was involved in the sealing of the Alpincenter Bottrop and treatment of the ammonia leakage. A specialist advisor from the Marl Chemical Park's works fire brigade was also called in for support.
A team in chemical protective suits entered the technical room to assess the situation. Binding the ammonia in water was not possible due to the high remaining amount of gas in the cooling system. Instead, a hose connection was installed to the cooling system, allowing the remaining gas to be burned off via a mobile flare on the Halden plateau.
Around 90 personnel were involved in the operation throughout its duration, with firefighters from Altstadt, Boy, Fuhlenbrock, Vonderort, Eigen, Feldhausen, and the Oberhausen Fire Department working together to manage the situation. The Gladbeck fire department provided an ambulance during the operation, but no injuries were reported.
Experts from the State Office for Nature, Environment and Climate (LANU NRW) were called in to monitor the ventilation process and set up five measuring points in the Halden environment. The Bottrop Fire Department is currently carrying out clearance work on the Halden.
Meanwhile, the Grafenwald volunteer fire department was involved in several parallel deployments, mostly dealing with small fires. A reported farm fire in Kirchhellen and Feldhausen the previous afternoon turned out to be unfounded.
It's important to note that ammonia is a toxic gas that attacks mucous membranes upon inhalation and has a sharp odor. The operation was carried out efficiently and effectively, ensuring the safety of the public and the environment.
For any inquiries regarding the incident, please direct them to the Bottrop Fire Department Press Office.
