An ammonia leak at a Virginia food manufacturing plant prompted a hazmat response and mass casualty incident declaration.

“Numerous emergency personnel and other agencies, including hazmat are on the scene at a manufacturing facility located in Sterling, Virginia, following a mass casualty incident,” Rawsalerts wrote.

“According to emergency officials, approximately 20 people are being evaluated after being exposed to hazardous and toxic chemicals released by a failed valve on a large ammonia tank. The affected individuals are receiving immediate medical attention. The cause of the valve failure is under investigation, and the situation is still developing,” the post added.

“An ammonia leak at a facility in Sterling has resulted in 33 people being hospitalized, with five in critical condition or serious condition,” FOX 5 DC noted.

FOX 5 DC reports:

The number of people rushed to area hospitals rose on Thursday morning. Authorities first responded to “Cuisine Solutions’” food processing facility on Sous Vide Lane in Sterling shortly after 8:30 p.m. Wednesday.

“[Okay] working with staff from inside, an ammonia leak on the relief valve, which is going to be on the exterior of the building where the two large tanks are on our side of the structure,” a first responder could be heard saying over the dispatch radio recording site, “Open MHZ,” “Currently not getting any readings but we can smell the ammonia from the doorway.”

Loudoun authorities say the leak impacted the inside of the building and that those treated were employees.

Loudoun County and Fire declared a “Mass Casualty Incident,” enabling them to also get help from Prince William, Fairfax, and the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority’s fire departments. Dulles Airport is about a 10-minute drive away.

“Primarily, it is an inhalation hazard, so inhaling it is bad, getting it on your skin is bad. It’s attracted to moisture, so you may get burns if it’s on your skin,” Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Assistant Chief Travis Preau said, according to FOX 5 DC.

“It was pure ammonia that was leaking in this building,” he added.

Per WJLA:

Officials said that 25 patients were transported to Inova Loudoun Hospital or Reston Hospital Center. Four of them were in “significant or critical” condition, officials said. Fifty patients remain on the scene being evaluated.

The injuries of the patients were likely respiratory from inhaling the gas, officials said.

Loudoun County officials said that there were no injuries to any first responders and that there are no concerns for the residents and other businesses in the area.

Officials with Cuisine Solutions Inc. said employees were immediately relocated outside of the facility.

Loudoun County Fire officials said the incident was determined to be an ammonia leak. The leak was quickly secured, officials said.

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