PITTSBURGH -- An explosion and ammonia leak in the building that houses Robert Wholey & Co. caused the closure of seven blocks in the city's Strip District Wednesday.
Officials are attempting to determine the cause of the explosion, which reportedly sent a fireball into the sky at about 7 p.m. It occurred in the New Federal Cold Storage building at 16th and Smallman streets.
A section of Smallman Street from 15th to 17th streets remained closed through Thursday afternoon. Firefighters told WTAE that ammonia is still leaking.
Click here for a map of the area.The ammonia is used as a coolant to keep food items frozen.
A warehouse official said the explosion may have been caused by an electrical short in the seven-story refrigeration plant.
There were no serious injuries. Four firefighters, a police officer and a passerby were taken to the hospital as a precaution after being sickened by fumes.
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