Ammonia leak spurs evacuation in Salt Lake City

An ammonia leak forced the evacuation of more than 100 people from the Steiner Aquatic Center on Tuesday afternoon.

Salt Lake City fire officials said equipment inside the fitness center alerted them of the ammonia leak about 4:15 p.m. Ammonia is used to keep ice sheets inside the building cool.

"One of the maintenance people went down to the room and could smell it," said Scott Freitag, a fire department spokesman.

About 100 people were evacuated from the Steiner Aquatic Center on Guardsman Way. Nearby schools, including the Pingree School for children with autism and Roland Hall St. Mark's school, kept children inside until their parents could come and pick them up.

"No one was injured or reported inhalation to the ammonia," said Freitag.

The pumping system was shut down, and Salt Lake County maintenance crews are expected to examine the system to determine the source of the leak.