An ammonia leak was reported in an ice plant in Brgy. New Lower Bicutan, Taguig City on Monday morning, September 25.

Interviewed by RH Christian Maño, Bureau of Fire Protection–Taguig (BFP) Senior Insp. Demetrio Sablan Jr. said the ammonia leak was reported at around 7 AM.

“Naglilinis daw sila ng mga equipment nila then bigla na lang may tumalsik na hose [at] sabay sumingaw ang ammonia,” he said.

“Dahil sa nabigla sila, at na-ano nga na ammonia yung nagl-leak, iniwan agad nila, nag-evacuate sila [nang] kusa. Naiwan nila to the point na marami talaga yung nakasingaw,” Sablan added.

He said a total of 300 kilograms of ammonia was leaked in the area.

The BFP-Taguig chief said classes at Ricardo P. Cruz Elementary School near the ice plant were immediately suspended following the incident.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, a person exposed to high concentrations of ammonia can experience skin, eyes, and throat irritation, along with coughing and burns.