ELMO, Texas — A pop-up valve is to blame for a chlorine gas leak in Elmo which resulted in a voluntary evacuation of approximately seven homes near the facility affected by the leak.
ELMO, Texas — A pop-up valve is to blame for a chlorine gas leak in Elmo which resulted in a voluntary evacuation of approximately seven homes near the facility affected by the leak.
Earlier today, Elmo Water Supply Corporation personnel were notified of a chlorine gas leak after an alarm at their water tower and facility on County Road 390 sounded.
The Elmo Volunteer Fire Department and Kaufman County Office of Emergency Management have been on scene for approximately seven hours and are awaiting the arrival of a Fort Worth-based cleanup company.
As of 9:40 p.m., emergency personnel were awaiting the arrival of the company.
An approximate 150-pound cylinder is continuing to leak at the site, according to Kaufman County Office of Emergency Management Coordinator Steve Howie. Approximately 22 pounds remain in the cylinder, he said.
Howie says seven homes down wind of the facility were notified of a voluntary evacuation. Two of the homes opted for the voluntary evacuation.
Howie says the gas is mostly contained to a Elmo Water Supply Corporation building on site but light readings of the gas have been measured in the surrounding area.
Water delivery has not been impacted, Howie said.
Emergency personnel will remain on scene to monitor air quality in case wind or conditions change.
This is a developing story.
