A total of nine workers at a Lake Villa food processing plant were taken to area hospitals with respiratory complaints Friday morning following an ammonia leak at the suburban facility, authorities said.
At approximately 11:12 a.m., firefighters were called to 515 Park Ave., the site of C & F Packaging Company, which bills itself as one of the largest independent producers of custom-cooked meat products in the U.S., according to the company's website.
Lake Villa fire officials explained a small ammonia leak in the rooftop released the colorless gas into the air conditioning unit of the building. The leak was contained by employees as a result of "their fortunate quick reactions," according to the fire department.
A total of nine employees were transported to local hospitals, and all were reported to have non-life threatening injuries.
Firefighters from nine departments responded to the scene to assist Lake Villa authorities.
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