Thorntown residents were ordered to clear out Tuesday after an anhydrous ammonia tank started leaking on the west side of town, according to county officials. The leak began on a farm northwest of Thorntown, and crews warned that drifting fumes could settle in low-lying areas. People living in the Old Mill Run trailer park were specifically told to evacuate while emergency teams worked to secure the scene. Witham medics were staged in town, and officials urged anyone having trouble breathing to call 911.
Officials on scene
The Boone County Sheriff’s Office posted an alert on Facebook telling residents in Old Mill Run to evacuate and warning that “fumes may be present,” according to the department's post. Emergency responders from Thorntown Fire and Thorntown Police were on scene to track the release and help people move out safely. Officials stressed that conditions could change quickly and urged residents to keep following local authorities for updates, according to the Boone County Sheriff's Office.
How the leak happened
Local reporting says a hose on an anhydrous ammonia tank came loose on a farm about a mile from Old Mill Run, allowing ammonia to escape and drift toward town, according to WRTV. The Thorntown Sugar Creek Fire Department warned that ammonia vapors are drawn to moisture and tend to pool in low spots, so crews shut down the immediate area around Old Mill Run for several hours while they checked air conditions. Officials said they were working to isolate the leak and protect nearby residents.
Anhydrous ammonia risks
Anhydrous ammonia is commonly used as farm fertilizer but is a corrosive gas that can cause severe eye and lung damage and even death at high concentrations, according to guidance from CDC/NIOSH. The gas has a sharp, pungent smell, but exposure can lead to olfactory fatigue, meaning people cannot rely on odor alone to know whether they are safe. Emergency responders advise moving uphill and upwind from a release, staying out of low-lying areas, and seeking immediate medical care for any respiratory symptoms.
What residents should do
Officials urged anyone who notices an ammonia odor to leave the area right away and told anyone experiencing symptoms such as coughing, burning eyes, or difficulty breathing to call 911. Witham medics remained staged in town to assist, per WRTV. The Old Mill Run area stayed closed while crews worked to stop the leak and continue air monitoring. Authorities said they would share new information on local emergency channels as the situation develops.
For the latest updates, residents should keep an eye on the Boone County Sheriff's Office and other local emergency channels. Anyone with immediate health concerns should call 911 and follow instructions from first responders.
