Ammonia leak in Skien forces evacuation of 126 hotel guests

An ammonia leak at an ice rink in Skien, Norway, forced the evacuation of 126 guests from the adjacent Hotel Fritidsparken early Friday morning. The incident prompted authorities to advise nearby residents to close their windows and shut off ventilation systems as a precautionary measure. The leak was first reported by hotel staff who detected a smell of ammonia, commonly known as salmiakk in Norwegian.

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Message from an employee at Hotel Fritidsparken that there is a smell of salmiakk in the area.

Emergency services, including the fire department, collaborated with the hotel and police to evacuate all guests. The leak has been traced to the ice rink facility, which stores ammonia. As of the latest update, the leak had not been contained. Measurements taken around the site confirmed a weak but discernible ammonia odor extending approximately 150 meters in all directions from the ice rink.

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In consultation with the incident leader from the fire department, it has been decided to evacuate all guests from the hotel.

Ammonia is a colorless gas with a pungent odor, often used as a refrigerant in ice rinks. While it can be hazardous in high concentrations, the reported smell at a distance suggests a lower level of immediate danger to the wider public, though containment efforts are ongoing. The evacuation was facilitated by buses and taxis arranged through the municipality's crisis management team.

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The leak is localized to the ice rink, where ammonia is stored. The leak has not been stopped at present. Measurements have been taken around the scene. There is a weak but detectable ammonia smell approximately 150 meters from the ice rink in all directions.