Local
Ammonia Leak at Widmer Brothers Brewing Triggers Hazmat Response in North Portland
A toxic ammonia leak at Widmer Brothers Brewing in North Portland prompted a hazmat response Thursday afternoon, but all employees were evacuated safely and no injuries were reported. Firefighters shut off a valve to stop the gas flow, and officials say there is no threat to the community.
Portland firefighters responded to a hazardous materials incident at Widmer Brothers Brewing in North Portland on Thursday afternoon after an ammonia leak released toxic gas inside the facility.
The fire agency was dispatched to the brewery at 929 N. Russell St. around 3 p.m. The call was upgraded to a hazmat response once crews identified ammonia as the chemical involved, officials said.
Ammonia is commonly used in commercial refrigeration systems at breweries. At low concentrations, the gas can irritate the eyes and respiratory system; at high concentrations, it can cause asphyxiation. It is also flammable.
By the time the hazmat team arrived, all brewery employees had been safely evacuated. Inside, crews found low concentrations of ammonia in the basement and shut off a large "king valve" to halt the gas flow.
No injuries were reported, and Portland Fire & Rescue said there is no threat to the surrounding community.
Widmer Brothers, founded in 1984, is one of Oregon's oldest craft breweries. The company closed its pub in 2019 due to financial difficulties, but the brewery and retail store remain open at the North Portland location. Its signature Hefeweizen is still a widely recognized and high-selling craft beer in the state.
The leak underscores the risks that industrial refrigeration systems can pose in residential and commercial neighborhoods, though quick action by employees and firefighters prevented a more serious outcome.