Chlorine

(Willmar, MN) On Friday at approximately 12:37 p.m. the Willmar Fire Department along with the Kandiyohi County Hazardous Materials Team was dispatched to the 900 block of 30th Street NW on the report of a chlorine leak. Upon arrival, several Willmar Municipal Utilities employees stated that there was a chlorine leak in one of their water treatment buildings. The employee stated that they had received an alarm, which monitors for chlorine gas leaks. When Haz Mat crews arrived, they dressed in chemical resistive protective clothing and entered the storage building. They discovered 3 - 150 pound chlorine cylinders, with one of them leaking. The crews removed that cylinder and placed a protective cover over the leaking area. They then removed the other two cylinders. A second leaking cylinder was discovered and that was controlled as well. The building and the area were then ventilated, clearing all chlorine from the area. Residents were encouraged to remain indoors with their windows and patio doors closed, but no evacuation was conducted. Crews remained on the scene until about 7 p.m. There were no injuries reported. The Willmar Fire Department was assisted by Blomkest Fire Department, CentraCare EMS-Willmar and the Willmar Police Department as well as Willmar Municipal Utilities.