An ammonia leak prompted Russell Stover Candies officials to shut down production this morning.
The leak, which came from a cooling unit, was capped successfully shortly after it was discovered at 1:15 a.m., David Shapland, Russell Stover chief financial officer, told the Register.
Employees were evacuated from the affected area while the leak was repaired.
At about 3 a.m., an employee called 911 when a residual ammonia odor was detected.
“It takes a while to completely evacuate (the ammonia),” Shapland said. There were no additional leaks.
Ambulances were sent to the plant, where a handful of employees asked to be checked out by medical personnel.
None of the employees required hospitalization, Iola Fire Chief Tim Thyer said.
Shapland said all first-shift employees were kept home, in order for the residual odor to dissipate.
The leak’s location, near the wrapping and packaging area, normally has about 150 employees working nearby, Shapland said.
Candy production was set to resume this afternoon at 3 o’clock, when the second shift crews arrive, Shapland said.
Ammonia leak prompts plant shutdown
