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Ammonia Scare Shutters Raynham IcePlex; Hazmat Crews Called In
A suspected ammonia leak at the Raynham IcePlex prompted a Tier 2 hazmat response Wednesday afternoon, closing the rink and forcing officials to cordon off the Broadway facility. No one was injured, but the cause remains under investigation.
RAYNHAM â The Raynham IcePlex on Broadway was shut down Wednesday afternoon after a suspected ammonia leak triggered alarms in a mechanical room, drawing a state hazardous materials team and local fire crews to the rink shortly before 2 p.m.
The Raynham Fire Department said a smoke detector activated inside the mechanical room, and when firefighters arrived they observed an ammonia alarm beacon flashing and detected elevated ammonia levels in the area. The Massachusetts Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Division was called in, and the incident was classified as a Tier 2 hazmat situation â a designation that typically signals a release requiring specialized containment and monitoring but not a full-scale evacuation of surrounding neighborhoods.
Fire officials said no injuries were reported. The rink remained closed Wednesday evening, and residents were asked to stay away from the Broadway facility while crews worked. The cause of the leak is under investigation.
Ammonia is a common refrigerant in ice rinks because of its efficiency, but it is also a toxic gas that can cause respiratory irritation and burns at high concentrations. Mechanical failures involving ammonia systems have prompted safety reviews at rinks across the country in recent years, and Massachusetts requires routine inspection of such systems.
The IcePlex is a popular local venue for youth hockey, figure skating and public skating sessions, and its closure disrupted programming on a weekday afternoon. It was not immediately clear when the facility would reopen.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.