Lafayette Hazmat Team Responds to Ammonia Leak at Guidry's Catfish in Breaux Bridge
A leak at Guidry's Catfish was traced to a faulty valve. Lafayette's hazmat team contained the threat with no injuries reported.
BREAUX BRIDGE, La. (KPEL News) -- A potentially dangerous chemical leak at a local food processing plant was quickly brought under control Thursday night, thanks to a coordinated emergency response led by the Lafayette Fire Department's hazardous materials team.
Fire officials say the department's hazmat unit was called to assist around 8:06 p.m. after an ammonia leak was detected at Guidry's Catfish, located at 1093 Henderson Highway. The Henderson Volunteer Fire Department, Louisiana State Police, and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality also responded.
Plant employees had already evacuated the building before crews arrived. No injuries were reported.
Once on the scene, Lafayette's hazmat team deployed monitoring devices to assess the severity and reach of the ammonia leak. Officials say no further evacuations were necessary in the surrounding area.
The source of the leak was traced to a faulty valve on a storage tank. Technicians were able to manually shut off the valve to stop the leak, then used air circulation equipment to ventilate the facility. Once gas levels returned to safe levels, employees were allowed to re-enter.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of regional cooperation in chemical response situations, especially in rural communities where volunteer fire departments may rely on support from specialized teams.
Lafayette Fire officials say the quick response and adherence to safety protocols helped prevent injuries and environmental damage. The incident remains under review to ensure all chemical storage and handling procedures were followed.
When should I call for a hazmat team?
Call 911 and request hazmat assistance if:
What should I do if there's a chemical spill at home?
How can I prepare my family for a chemical emergency?