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Ammonia leak causes major evacuation
Hazmat crews were on the scene of an ammonia leak in Hillsborough County late Monday night into early Tuesday. (slideshow)
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said a 16-year old boy caused an ammonia leak that shut down a major roadway and forced hundreds of residents to evacuate Monday night.
Highway 301 at Balm Riverview Road, at the bridge over the Alafia River in Riverview, was shut down for hours while Hazmat crews attempted to clean up the scene.
The leak forced the evacuation of 300 people, on the northwest side of the Alafia River, north of Riverview Drive and Highway 301. The residents evacuated to Riverview Elementary.
The evacuation area was later downgraded to a half mile of the scene and some residents were allowed to return to their homes.
More than 3,000 residents were contacted via the reverse 911 system.
The leak happened around 5:30 p.m. but as of 12 a.m. Tuesday was still leaking.
Residents called 911 Monday evening. They reported seeing a cloud hovering over the river.
The sheriff's office said a 16-year old boy drilled into the pipeline, causing the leak.
The sheriff's office said the teen along with two friends, ages 14 and 16, went to the area looking for money that the 16-year old had heard was hidden in a pipe.
A total of 15 units and 35 firefighters responded to the scene.
The teen had gone to the location Sunday by himself and when he did not find any money, he returned Monday with his friends to continue searching, according to the sheriff's office.
The juvenile was drilling on the pipe when it began leaking, which resulted in him getting seriously burned.
At this time, there are no arrests and the names of the juveniles are not being released.
Four firefighters were also transported for breathing problems. All were taken to Tampa General Hospital for treatment.
Tune to Bay News 9 for updates.
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