A plum of dangerous anhydrous ammonia engulfs a farm tractor after an actuator valve malfunctioned Thursday morning.

Text and Photos
By Deb Patterson
InkFreeNews

MILFORD — A malfunction of an actuator valve on a farm tractor caused an anhydrous ammonia leak south of Milford, Thursday morning, June 12.

According to Gene Reed, Kosciusko County Emergency Management Agency coordinator, he did not call for any evacuations, but Bentley Manufacturing, northeast of the leak did a self evacuation. Milford Police did attempt to make contact with some residents to evacuate the area.

Reed reported the operator of the tractor, Brent Beer, was not injured when the leak occurred.

Milford Police Department, Milford and Plain township fire departments along with Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory responded to secure the scene.

Reed reported Beer had advised him at some point during the leak, the actuator started working, shutting off the valve. Once the plum cleared the tractor, firefighters were able to hose down the area around the tractor to allow access to the farm equipment.

Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory utilized specialized equipment to check the air quality in the area of the leak as well as in town Milford. No indicators were found to be harmful to residents.

Traffic on SR 15 was rerouted over to Old SR 15 for approximately 1 hour.

A view of the burnt corn from an anhydrous ammonia leak. The photo was taken on CR 1100N looking east toward SR 15.