Truck Emissions of Ammonia - Firefighting devices in Commercial Vehicles
On July 28, 2025, at 15:00, the Essen Fire Department responded to a report of smoke in the 'Im Teelbruch' street in Essen-Kettwig. Upon arrival, it was initially thought a truck was on fire, but further investigation revealed smoke rising from under a tarp.
The truck, loaded with aluminum slag - a waste product from the metal industry - was found to have a hole in the tarp, allowing rainwater to react with the load, producing ammonia gas. This hazardous substance, irritating to the eyes, respiratory system, and skin, necessitated an immediate evacuation of the affected area.
Firefighters wore chemical protective suits to protect themselves from the gases and set up a decontamination station for cleanup. Residents of an adjacent apartment building were asked to stay in their homes but were advised to keep doors and windows closed. Residents in the surrounding area, including a nearby circus, were also asked to leave the area.
The comprehensive control measurements carried out in the vicinity of the incident site did not detect any health-endangering concentrations outside the cordoned-off danger area. The damaged tarp of the truck was temporarily sealed with duct tape by the firefighters.
The operation was completed after approximately four hours with no injuries reported. The vehicle was transported to a specialized disposal company in Lünen under the escort of the fire department, police, and LANUK. The Kettwig outdoor pool was evacuated and temporarily closed.
The firefighting effort was supported by the North Rhine-Westphalia State Office for Nature, Environment and Consumer Protection, the city's environmental agency, and the Analytical Task Force. No specific information was found about which special waste disposal company was tasked with the evacuation and transport of the damaged truck in collaboration with the Essen fire department and police in Lünen.
For further inquiries, contact Nico Blum at the Fire Department Essen: [email protected], telephone: 0201-12370104, fax: 0201 12-3820119, website: www.feuerwehr-essen.com. The incident was completed and all measures were carried out successfully.
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