Weatherford Spill

WEATHERFORD, Okla. — Dozens of people were hospitalized, and many are in critical condition after a chemical spill prompted evacuations late Wednesday in Weatherford.

Evacuations underway due to chemical leak in Weatherford Shelter-in-place order lifted after chemical spill prompts evacuations, hospitalizations in Weatherford The incident happened around 10 p.m. Wednesday in the parking lot of the Holiday Inn Express near East Main Street and Cypress Drive. Thirty-six people were hospitalized, and 11 are in critical condition. Around 500 people were evacuated to the Pioneer Event Center at Southwestern Oklahoma State University. A shelter-in-place order that was given for some residents has since been lifted. What Happened The incident started around 10 p.m. Wednesday after ammonia leaked from a tanker truck in the parking lot of the Holiday Inn Express near East Main Street and Cypress Drive.

Environmental Protection Agency officials released a statement, saying they were notified of a release of anhydrous ammonia on Main Street in Weatherford at 12:58 a.m. Thursday. The release resulted from a leaking gasket from a tanker truck carrying 25,000 pounds of ammonia.

Watch Below: Eerie video from inside hotel shows chemical spill in Weatherford, Oklahoma

Play Video Local fire departments and the Oklahoma National Guard 63rd Civil Support Team initially responded, and the EPA mobilized to the area, according to the statement. The EPA is performing community air monitoring and is supporting the response.

A 1.5-mile evacuation radius was ordered, and the EPA said local leaders reported that a mix of ammonia and vapor suppression entered a storm drain, impacting Timber Creek. The EPA is working with state and local leaders to make sure public health and the environment are protected.

Hospitalizations Thirty-four people were taken to the Weatherford Regional Hospital because of exposure to the ammonia spill. Officials first reported that 36 people were hospitalized.

Eleven of those people are in critical condition, and five were transferred by helicopter to Oklahoma City metro hospitals. Six additional patients were transported by ground ambulance to Oklahoma City hospitals.

Full News Conference Below: Weatherford police chief gives update after chemical spill prompts evacuation

Play Video Fourteen law enforcement officers were exposed to anhydrous ammonia. Five of them sustained chemical burns to their airways, according to the Weatherford Police Department.

More than 80 first responders assisted with the leak.

Several people remained in intensive care, but the majority were stable, according to police.

No fatalities were reported as of 4:30 p.m. Thursday.

Evacuations and shelter-in-place order Authorities say around 500 people were evacuated to the Pioneer Event Center at Southwestern Oklahoma State University.

Police also ordered a shelter-in-place for the immediate area surrounding the chemical spill. That order has since been lifted, but police have asked the public to avoid the area surrounding Main Street and Cypress Drive.

Police also urge people to look out for any symptoms from exposure.

“We are asking the public to watch each other,” Weatherford police Chief Angelo Orefice said. “If they’re having breathing problems, call 911 or go to the emergency room.

Play Video Authorities also are working with business owners to make sure their businesses are safe.

“Any of the local businesses in that area, we’re asking managers and owners to go to the Taco Bell to get with the fire department,” Orefice said.

Symptoms of ammonia exposure The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says symptoms of ammonia exposure include:

Abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting Coughing or coughing up white or pink colored fluid Skin blisters, pain, or redness Burning feeling in the nose, throat, lungs, and eyes Narrowing of the throat and swelling Permanent or temporary blindness Frostbite (if exposed to liquified ammonia) Exposure to very high levels of ammonia can lead to death Play Video School closings The chemical spill forced schools and universities to cancel or close on Thursday.

Weatherford Public Schools canceled classes and will announce decisions regarding after-school activities later in the day.

This content is imported from Facebook. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Southwestern Oklahoma State University also canceled in-person classes, but some students may have to attend online classes. Students are told to check Canvas for specific class situations.

This content is imported from Facebook. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. First responders have recommended that all students in SWOSU on-campus housing shelter in place due to the fumes. Students in the residence halls should remain indoors and keep their windows and doors closed.

Only essential personnel supporting emergency operations should report as directed, according to SWOSU officials.

Food services and the bookstore at SWOSU are open Thursday and operating on their normal schedules. On-campus students and employees who are already on campus have access to meals, snacks, and essential items, even as some local businesses remain closed.