Kolkata, January 24: At least 3,000 people either fled or were evacuated following leakage of ammonia gas from a cold storage at densely populated Nagerbazar locality in the north eastern outskirts of the city today, police and fire brigade sources said.
The pungent smelling gas started emanating from the cold storage late afternoon and it took fire brigade personnel nearly six hours to plug the sources of leakage.
Director General of Fire Services Gopal Bhattacharjee said all three sources of leakage were plugged.
The gas, leaked from two valves and a cracked cylinder of the gas in the cold storage meant for preserving prawn, has spread over a square kilometre area, the sources said.
Panick-stricken residents fled the area, that falls under North 24 Parganas district, after they experienced breathing difficulties and burning sensation in the eyes.
–Agencies