Emergency services respond to ammonia leak in IMO building

ST. LOUIS, Missouri (First Alert 4) – Firefighters responded to an ammonia leak at the IMO Building near downtown St. Louis Tuesday morning.

First Alert 4 was on scene as crews used an aerial ladder to create a water curtain to contain the fumes in the building. Ammonia is water soluble and helps draw it into the sewer system where it can be disposed of. This is the corner of 17th and Delmar, just north of the City Museum.

By 8 a.m., emergency responders said the leak was somewhat contained. Firefighters believe the leak came from the vent in the building's ceiling. At one point, there was a cloud of ammonia over Delmar.

It is important to note that inhaling ammonia products is dangerous and can cause lung damage.

First Alert 4 will update this story as new information becomes available.

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