Heavy-duty vehicles emitting ammonia while fighting fires - analysis of firefighting tools in trucking industry
In the heart of Essen-Kettwig, on July 28, 2025, at 15:00, an unusual incident unfolded near the public swimming pool. The Essen Fire Department received an alert about smoke emanating from a parked truck. Upon investigation, it was discovered that the vehicle was carrying aluminum slag, a waste product from the metal industry.
The truck's damaged tarp was temporarily sealed with duct tape by the firefighters, who then proceeded to evacuate the area as a precaution. This included the Kettwig swimming pool and residents in the surrounding area, including a nearby traveling circus. Residents of an adjacent apartment building were asked to stay in their homes but were advised to keep doors and windows closed.
Rainwater had reacted with the load, producing ammonia gas, a substance irritating to the eyes, respiratory system, and skin. Firefighters donned chemical protective suits to protect themselves from the hazardous gases.
The vehicle was escorted by the fire department, police, and LANUK to a specialized disposal company in Lünen, operated by Remondis. Extensive control measurements were carried out in the vicinity of the incident site, and no health-endangering concentrations were found outside the cordoned-off danger area.
The operation was assisted by the North Rhine-Westphalia State Agency for Nature, Environment and Consumer Protection, the city's environmental department, and the Analytical Task Force. A decontamination station was set up for cleaning the firefighters who came into contact with the hazardous substance during operations.
Thankfully, no one was injured during the incident. For further questions, please contact Nico Blum at the Essen Fire Department: 0201-12370104, fax: 0201 12-3820119, email: [email protected], or visit their website at http://www.feuerwehr-essen.com/.
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