7 people hospitalized after ammonia leak in North Attleborough business

Seven people were hospitalized after there was an ammonia leak at a North Attleborough industrial building Tuesday morning.

At about 10 a.m. Tuesday, firefighters responded to a report that a line to a 2,000-gallon tank of ammonia was cut while work was being conducted. The incident occurred inside the JT Inman building on Larsen Way, North Attleborough Fire Chief Chris Coleman told Boston 25 News. JT Inman designs and manufactures products out of sterling silver, according to its website.

Six of the victims suffered from minor injuries, while one is in critical condition, Boston 25 News reported.

North Attleborough firefighters shut off the ammonia from outside the building. A hazmat team was also called in to inspect the building from the inside and to asses its ammonia levels, Boston 25 News said.

Coleman also told Boston 25 News that a nearby business was also evacuated as a precaution.

There is no threat to the public and fire crews are working to determine if the ammonia was liquid or gas, Coleman told Boston 25 News. Ammonia mainly causes toxic inhalation but in liquid form it can cause burns.