Heavy-duty vehicles emitting ammonia during fires - The role of firefighting gear in controlling ammonium discharge
On July 28, 2025, at 15:00, the Essen Fire Department received a call about smoke coming from a parked truck near the Kettwig swimming pool in Essen-Kettwig, Im Teelbruch. The truck was found to be carrying aluminum slag, a waste product from the metal industry.
Upon arrival, firefighters discovered that rainwater reacting with the load had caused the production of ammonia gas, which is irritating to the eyes, respiratory system, and skin. As a precaution, the affected area was immediately evacuated, including the Kettwig swimming pool and nearby residents, including a circus.
To protect themselves from the hazardous gases, firefighters donned chemical protective suits. A decontamination station was set up for the firefighters to ensure their safety during and after the operation. Residents of an adjacent apartment building were allowed to stay in their homes but were asked to keep doors and windows closed.
During these operations, the firefighters came into contact with the hazardous substance and were decontaminated at the decontamination station. The North Rhine-Westphalia State Agency for Nature, Environment, and Consumer Protection, the city's environmental agency, and the Analytical Task Force provided support.
Extensive control measurements were taken in the vicinity of the incident site, and no health-endangering concentrations were found outside the cordoned-off danger area. The damaged tarp of the truck was temporarily sealed with duct tape by the firefighters to prevent further reaction with rainwater.
After completing all measures, the vehicle was transported to a specialist disposal company in Lünen under the escort of the fire department, police, and LANUK. The special disposal company that collected the vehicle after the incident handling in Essen-Kettwig is not specified in the available information.
Contact inquiries can be directed to Nico Blum at the Fire Department Essen: telephone 0201-12370104, fax 0201 12-3820119, email [email protected], website http://www.feuerwehr-essen.com/.
The operation was completed after approximately four hours, and no injuries were reported during the incident.
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