WEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - Emergency crews are on the scene of a chemical leak at a warehouse in West Miami-Dade.
Miami-Dade Police and Fire Rescue responded to the area of Northwest 72nd Avenue and 25th Street, at around 2 a.m., Wednesday.
Officials said they received a call reporting smoke coming out of the warehouse, which is located west of Miami International Airport.
“Our initial crew arrived, they saw a plume of smoke [and] they did believe it was going to be a fire,” said Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Lt. Kristen Miller.
After the building was evacuated, MDFR’s hazmat team cautiously entered the warehouse and confirmed an ammonia leak.
“We stayed very far back, called in the hazmat team, called in all the specialty units,” said Miller. “With this kind of call we move very slow and very cautiously. The leak was located. The emergency shut off system was activated.”
The smoke has since dissipated, and the source has been determined to be a flower distribution business.
“I didn’t even know it was our building,” said The Queen’s Flowers director of sales Gabriel Vega.
Employees from the flower shop stood outside for hours as crews worked to find the source.
“I have to travel, and I have my passport inside my office so … I need my passport to travel,” said Vega.
“Because ammonia is dangerous to health and also flammable we have to move very slowly to make sure that we don’t endanger anyone,” said Miller.
Police have shut down the neighboring streets while fire officials continue their investigation.
No injuries have been reported.
Motorists are advised to avoid the area.
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