Heavy-duty vehicles emitting ammonia - firefighting equipment's role in addressing truck-related ammonia emissions

On July 28, 2025, at 15:00, the Essen Fire Department was called to a smoke incident on Im Teelbruch street in Essen-Kettwig. The smoke was coming from a parked truck near Kettwig's public swimming pool.

Initial inspection suggested that the truck was on fire, but further investigation revealed that smoke was rising from under a tarp. The vehicle was carrying aluminum slag, a waste product from the metal industry, which reacted with rainwater to produce ammonia gas, an irritant to the eyes, respiratory system, and skin.

As a precaution, the affected area was immediately evacuated, including Kettwig swimming pool and residents in the surrounding area, including a nearby circus. For the safety of the firefighters, a decontamination station was set up, and they donned chemical protective suits to protect themselves from the hazardous gases.

The North Rhine-Westphalia State Environment Agency, the city's environmental office, and the Analytical Task Force provided support during the operation. The damaged tarp of the truck was temporarily sealed with duct tape by the firefighters.

The truck was transported to a specialized disposal site in Lünen under the escort of the fire department, police, and LANUK. Extensive control measurements were taken in the vicinity of the incident, and no health-endangering concentrations were found outside the cordoned-off danger area.

Residents of an adjacent apartment building were allowed to stay in their homes but were asked to keep doors and windows closed. The operation was completed after approximately four hours, and no injuries were reported.

For further inquiries, please contact Nico Blum at the Fire Department Essen: Telephone: 0201-12370104, Fax: 0201 12-3820119, Email: [email protected], Website: http://www.feuerwehr-essen.com/

For more information about the fire department in Essen, you can contact Brandoberinspektor Stefan Fink at the Freiwillige Feuerwehr Essen-Mitte. However, specific contact details for an individual handling inquiries at the fire department in Essen are not provided in the search results.