Twelve Sent to Hospital after Connecticut Ammonia Leak

An ammonia leak at an ice cream factory in New Britain, Connecticut has sent a dozen people to the hospital.

A spokesman for Connecticut’s Department of Environment says there’s no immediate information on their conditions.

The leak from refrigeration equipment Monday morning forced the evacuation of more than 200 people from Celebration Foods in New Britain. The company makes ice cream cakes and other ice cream products.

DEP spokesman Dennis Schain says the 12 who were hospitalized are being checked for possible exposure to anhydrous ammonia, which is considered a hazardous material.

He says valves where the leak occurred have been secured.