Ammonia leak in North Kingstown sends 13 people to the hospital

NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI (WLNE) – Thirteen people were sent to the hospital after an ammonia leak at Taylor Farms Thursday morning.

Crews in North Kingstown responded to a fire alarm at Taylor Farms on Commerce Park Road around 9:30 a.m. Thursday.

A total of 600 employees were evacuated while hazmat crews cleared the scene. At 12 p.m. all valves were shut off inside the factory, according to Chief Scott Ketelle.

The Taylor Farms company makes to-go sandwiches that can be found in vending machines.

Because of the high winds on Thursday, no other nearby businesses had to evacuate, according to Ketelle.

Kettle said the ammonia from the company’s freezers is what is leaking. When Ammonia is inhaled by humans, it mixes with fluids in the lungs and can suffocate a person.

No word yet on the condition of the 13 people transported.

This is a developing situation and we’ll update this story with current information as it becomes available.