WESTON, FLA. (WSVN) - - Rescue crews have transported two employees at an ice cream shop in Weston to the hospital after, officials said, they fell ill due to a nitrogen leak.
Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue’s hazmat team responded to Chill-N along the 2200 block of Weston Road, just after 4 p.m., Thursday.
First responders arrived to find an employee unresponsive and another in distress.
Officials said the nitrogen release happened so quickly that the patients were unable to escape in time.
Someone called 911, and a responding Broward Sheriff’s Office realized almost immediately what was happening. Seconds later, he began to feel lightheaded.
Responding crews found the storefront windows iced over in what investigators described as evidence of the leak.
The hazmat crew was able to cap the leak, which was emanating from the business’ large storage tank.
Skyforce HD hovered above an ambulance as the employees were taken into the Cleveland Clinic, which is located near the business.
The affected BSO deputy was treated at the scene.
All three victims are expected to be OK.
Deputies opted to evacuate nearby businesses out of an abundance of caution.
Chill-N uses nitrogen as a freezing agent in preparing its ice cream products to speed up the cooling process. While nitrogen is inert and generally is not toxic, breathing the odorless and colorless gas can be deadly because it displaces oxygen and can lead to suffocation.
Victims can become unconscious from breathing nitrogen as quickly as one or two breaths, according to the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board.
As of 5 p.m., crews were ventilating the shop. It will not be allowed to reopen until a professional service team repairs the tank.
Copyright 2025 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.