Lochem dairy factory evacuated, surrounding streets closed over nitric acid leak

The fire departments from Lochem and Barchem evacuated the FrieslandCampina buildings on Kanaalstraat in Lochem after an unexpected chemical reaction with nitric acid created an "orange cloud". The roads around the dairy factory are also closed while firefighters take measurements, the Gelderlander reports.

"Leakage was detected in a vat of nitric acid and an orange cloud was released", a spokesperson for the local safety office Veiligheidsregio Noord- en Oost Gelderland said to the newspaper. "The vapor was inhaled by a number of staff and they are now being examined by paramedics."

The fire department is working on measuring air quality and cleaning up the spill. Nitric acid is a rather aggressive acid usually used for cleaning purposes, the spokesperson said to the Gelderlander.

The incident was first reported at 10:50 a.m. on Tuesday.