LACONA, IOWA (AP) -- Authorities says they have shut off a broken pipe in Lacona that was leaking anhydrous ammonia, forcing most of the small central Iowa town to evacuate.
Des Moines Fire Department spokesman Ted Jefferson say crews shut a valve and stopped release of the chemical just after noon Thursday.
The Des Moines haz-mat team was called to Lacona, about 30 miles southeast of Des Moines, to help stop the gas release.
Jefferson says a "slight haze" of gas remained but that wind was dispersing it. He thought roads into the 360-person town would be reopened and people could return soon.
The Warren County sheriff's office says rescue crews were notified around 10:15 a.m.
There are no reports of injuries.
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