Update: Ammonia gas leak in downtown Boise fixed, cause still unknown
The Boise Fire Department responded to two gas leaks in a 12-hour period between Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning — one at a residential building in West Boise and the other an ammonia leak downtown.
The fire department responded to a gas leak at 7575 W. Wilshire Drive, just off Fairview Avenue and North Cole Road, at 8:47 p.m. Tuesday. The department dispatched five vehicles to the residential building a second time at 10:26 p.m.
Boise Fire responded to a second gas leak incident at 6:26 a.m. Wednesday near 15th and Front streets in downtown Boise. One hazmat vehicle, three engines, one truck and three medics were dispatched to the scene, Boise Fire Department spokesperson Lynsey Amundson told the Idaho Statesman.
The department issued a red alert an hour later for residents within 500 feet of the incident, citing an ammonia gas leak and asking neighbors to shut windows and turn off heating and cooling systems.
Exposure to high concentrations of ammonia can cause an immediate burning sensation to the eyes, nose and throat and can result in blindness, lung damage and death. Exposure to low quantities can cause coughing, as well as nose and throat irritation.
The leak occurred at a business. Ammonia is used as chemical refrigerant due to its heat transference properties and was in use at the facility, Amundson said.
There were road and lane closures between 14th and 16th streets and Grove and River streets as first responders dealt with the leak and asked the public to stay out of the area. The Ada County Highway District also tweeted at 7:36 a.m. that no traffic was allowed toward River Street as responders isolated the hazardous material.
Fire crews cleared the scene around noon Wednesday, according to a tweet from Boise Fire, and the area is now safe for the public.
The cause of the leak is still unknown as of Friday morning, Amundson said, and the business is in charge of repairing the line as well as determining the cause with its insurance provider.
This story was originally published October 5, 2022 at 10:30 AM.
