Neighborhood around Vineland icehouse to evacuate Wednesday

VINELAND – Residents around the Vineland Ice and Cold Storage plant are asked to evacuate their homes between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Wednesday.

This is the third evacuation notice for the neighborhood to avoid any potential exposure to anhydrous ammonia. The zone remains the same 500-foot radius around the plant. Traffic will also be rerouted.

How it started: EPA monitoring Vineland Ice & Cold Storage

Three weeks ago, the federal Environmental Protection Agency launched a project to remove the ammonia from the plant in the 500 block of East Pear Street. The EPA voiced concerns that the plant's operation did not meet current codes.

Anhydrous ammonia, which is used in the plant's refrigerator system, is a toxic gas that in cases of short-term exposure can irritate eyes and skin as well as respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts.

An air scrubber was installed to neutralize any ammonia released from two valves, located at knee-level outside the 94-year-old plant.

In other news: Five fire companies battle Vineland blaze

Last week, 4,500 pounds of the ammonia was contained and taken by a pump truck to a Philadelphia location for disposal, according to the EPA.

By Monday, another 1,400 pounds of ammonia was collected and will be removed on Wednesday, Fire Chief Robert Pagnini said.

As ice around the refrigeration coils melts, crews are able to draw down more of the ammonia, Pagnini told The Daily Journal.

The EPA didn’t require this evacuation.

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Pagnini said it was his call, noting they would be using the process and handling the same material that prompted the previous precautions.

This will be one a one-day event, the chief said, not ruling out future evacuations until all the ammonia is removed.

Fire and health officials went door-to-door Monday afternoon to give residents as much notice as possible to prepare.

Those who reside in the area are urged go to work, school or stay with friends on Wednesday.

For those who need a place to stay, Wallace Intermediate School at 688 N. Mill Road will be available as shelter again. Bus transportation to the shelter is available and may be arranged by calling (646) 369-0068.

The project is expected to take until 5 p.m. Should work be completed earlier, a Nixle text alert will notify residents they may return to their homes.

To sign up for the alert message, test “ICEHOUSE” to 888-777.

Deborah M. Marko: (856) 563-5256; dmarko@gannettnj.com