CHACHOENGSAO -- Residents of a community near Pongthip Thara ice factory in Muang district were briefly evacuated from their homes after ammonia leaked from the plant on Tuesday night, police in this central province said.
Pol Lt Teerawachara Chuaysuk, the duty officer at Muang district police station, said the gas leak was reported about 8.30pm.
Following the breach an ammonia mist blew out of of the large ice factory, which is located near a canal-side community in tambon Tha Khai, affecting about 60 houses nearby, residents suffered from eye and skin irritation and breathing difficulties.
The people who left their homes were able to return about two hours aftere the ammonia had dissapated.
The factory produces ice for sale to farmers who use it to store marine products before distribution.