10 Hospitalized After Ammonia Leak Closes Ice Rink At Prospect Park

An ammonia leak at the LeFrak Center at Lakeside in Prospect Park Wednesday night spread noxious fumes throughout the surrounding area, according to the Fire Department.

Parts of the park were closed to visitors after the strong ammonia odor filled the air near the skating rink Wednesday evening.

The Fire Department responded to a call around 9:15pm. One civilian and nine firefighters were taken to Methodist Hospital for minor injuries from the fumes and the incident was brought under control by 11:50pm, according to an FDNY spokesperson.

Ammonia was found to be leaking from a chilling unit at the ice rink, said the FDNY. Ammonia is often used in a liquid form in the refrigeration systems at ice rinks, but turns into a corrosive and very toxic gas if it is released into the air, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

A Parks Department spokeswoman told the Daily News the agency was looking into the leak. Skating season is scheduled to begin next week.