UPI

A portion of Miami Lakes, Fla., was evacuated Monday after ammonia was reported leaking at an area warehouse, officials say.

Rescue officials in Miami-Dade County, Fla., told The Miami Herald firefighters sent to a Miami Beef Co. warehouse in Miami Lakes found an unbearable smell filling the area.

As a precaution, area buildings were evacuated as a hazardous materials unit was sent to investigate.

Lt. Arnold Piedrahita, a fire rescue spokesman, said the ammonia smell reached as far as a half-mile away from the warehouse.

Firefighters told the Herald the hazardous materials workers located a leaky valve in the warehouse's refrigeration system and stopped it from releasing anhydrous ammonia.

No injuries were reported


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June 1, 2009