Workers Return to Smithfield Packing Plant Following Evacuation

BLADEN COUNTY, N.C.- Smithfields pork processing plant in Bladen County is closed indefinitely after company officials say a water heater tank fell over and severed an ammonia line at the massive hog slaughtering plant Tuesday.

The incident forced around 2,400 employees to evacuate and sent several people to area hospitals to be evaluated.

The facility is located on Highway 87 North in Tar Heel. During the evacuation, workers were transported to Tar Heel Middle School where they were given food and water. The employees have since boarded buses to return to the plant and collect personal items.

"At first I did not know what it was, I thought it was hot water. [Then I smelled] that ammonia. And I have asthma so it was really kind of scary," said worker Timothy Hayes.

Plant workers said the incident was chaotic when it first began.

"With people running out of the plant, we did not know what was going on at first. Until later on we got to the plant and we smelled ammonia. They had everybody outside and were talking about going down to the clinic," said Devin Autry, plant worker.

Emergency crews from in and outside the surrounding area brought in resources to help.

"We made contact with local Hazmat officials and worked with folks from Duplin County, Fayetteville from Tar Heel all came to assist to make sure there was no particular problem for the entire community, said Dennis Pittman, with Smithfield corporate communications.

This is not the first time there's been an ammonia leak at this plant. But officials say people should not be concerned about safety.

Watch an interview with Dennis Pittman, of Smithfield corporate communications

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Workers Return to Smithfield Packing Plant Following Evacuation