Gera (dpa/th) - The fire brigade and police in Gera are on duty because of escaping ammonia in a hospital. A technician noticed a leak in the morning from which the toxic gas escaped in large quantities, a spokesman for the fire department said on Monday. The affected employee is being treated medically.
In order to examine the leak and close it quickly, a special squad from the fire brigade in so-called chemical protection suits will enter the affected, now closed, room, according to the fire brigade spokesman. Other firefighters would constantly measure the concentration of ammonia in the air. The pungent-smelling gas is currently perceptible, but no danger to the environment.
Operations in the hospital would also initially continue, said a hospital spokeswoman. However, the rescue center was cleared and not operational. The police have blocked extensive access roads to the clinic, including those for the emergency room.
Ammonia is used, for example, as a coolant for refrigeration systems.
