Homes evacuated in Walsh after tank rupture
February 08, 2012 10:31 AM
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
WALSH — Ten houses in a small southeastern Colorado town have been evacuated following an ammonia spill.
A Baca County Emergency Management official said that the small sealed tank fell off a truck in and ruptured on Wednesday in the town of Walsh. The tank now appears to be empty except for some vapors.
The tank was holding anhydrous ammonia, which is used as a fertilizer.
Colorado State Trooper Josh Lewis said the tank fell off a vehicle when the vehicle's axle broke and one end of the vehicle apparently fell. The fall broke the tank's valve. Lewis believes the tank has a capacity of about 500 gallons.
No injuries have been reported and a State Patrol hazardous material team is on the way to Walsh, home to about 700 people.
