Ammonia leak forces evacuation at Jurong ice and cold storage facility, 2 taken to hospital

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) responded to an ammonia leak incident at an ice-making and cold storage facility in Jurong on Monday (June 29).

In a social media post published at 1.53pm, SCDF said it was notified of the incident at No.11 Fishery Port Road about 11.45am. 

It added that SCDF officers responding to the incident detected ammonia within the premises' compound.

The premises, and two adjacent units at No. 9 and No. 15 Fishery Port Road, have been evacuated. 

"SCDF's hazardous materials specialists are at the incident site and carrying out the mitigation operation," said the agency.

Checks by AsiaOne indicate that the said address is the registered place of business for Jurong Marine Cold Storage (JM Ice). 

On its website, JM Ice describes its business as manufacturing of food grade ice and subletting of cold storage space for frozen food stuff.

Ammonia is a widely-used refrigerant used to absorb heat and cool down water to form ice.

In a final statement issued at 4.48pm, SCDF said the ammonia leak was traced to a pipe in a room within the facility.

It added that the supply valve was shut off and that no further ammonia leaks were detected.

Two persons from the affected premises were taken to Singapore General Hospital for exposure to ammonia vapour.

There were no other reported injuries.

When AsiaOne reached the scene at 2.30pm, at least six SCDF vehicles, including a Hazardous Materials Mitigation Vehicle, and three police fast response cars were at the scene.

Police officers were also seen restricting access to the stretch of road in front of JM Ice.

Members of the public were advised to stay away from the area, and an SG Alert was sent out to people in the area.

Workers from JM Ice and the two nearby premises — which were earlier evacuated — were allowed to return to their respective premises at around 5pm.

@asiaone Ammonia is a natural gas used as a refrigerant. Members of the public are advised to stay clear of the area as hazardous materials mitigation operation is ongoing. #sgnews #Singapore #Chemical #Firefighters ♬ original sound - AsiaOne

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