Dozens Hospitalized, 11 in Critical Condition After Ammonia Gas Leak in Hotel Parking Lot (Video)

A frightening chemical leak in Weatherford, Oklahoma sent dozens to the hospital and forced large portions of the city into lockdown after a tanker truck began leaking ammonia gas from a hotel parking lot on Wednesday night.

The leak began in the parking lot of a Holiday Inn, where the truck was parked for the night. Within minutes, residents across the area began experiencing the effects of the toxic fumes. According to local reports, 36 people were hospitalized and 11 remain in critical condition. As emergency crews worked to contain the situation, roughly 1,000 residents were ordered to evacuate their homes, while another 500 to 600 people were told to shelter in place.

The Weatherford Police Department issued urgent warnings, advising people in the affected zone to stay indoors, shut off heating and air-conditioning systems, and block outside air as much as possible. Ammonia exposure can be extremely dangerous; the CDC notes it can cause severe coughing, abdominal pain, temporary or permanent blindness, and—at high levels—can be fatal.

By Thursday morning, officials announced that air quality had improved enough to lift the shelter-in-place order. Residents were told they could return home but were urged to open windows, air out their homes, and thoroughly wash their skin and clothing if they believed they had been exposed. Anyone experiencing symptoms was instructed to call 911 immediately.

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Businesses in the affected area were encouraged to contact incident command at a temporary station set up in a nearby Taco Bell parking lot, where firefighters are offering air-quality checks on request.

Weatherford Police Chief Angel Orefice said investigators are still working to determine how the leak started. Early indications suggest a mechanical failure or faulty seal on the truck. The driver reportedly parked behind the Holiday Inn to rest for the night, and officials say they are treating the leak as an accident. Cleanup efforts, which include working with the EPA, are expected to take several days.

Witnesses described the scene as chaotic and terrifying. One person recalled a “spicy smell” in the air and said people nearby were coughing and struggling to breathe. “I understand something was wrong over there,” the witness told KWTV.

Weatherford, a city of just over 12,000 people, is now focused on recovery as authorities continue evaluating the damage from the chemical spill.