24 people taken to the hospital after Merced County ammonia leak

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The Merced County Fire Department said they responded to a hazmat situation in the Merced County town of Ballico on Thursday morning.

Fire officials said they found a one to two gallon ammonia leak at a strawberry production plant. When they arrived at the scene, about 475 employees had already been evacuated. Emergency crews transported 24 people to hospitals in Merced, Turlock and Modesto for inhalation hazards, but they said no one actually displayed any symptoms. Several others were treated and released on the scene.

As of late Friday morning, authorities said the scene was cleared.