UPDATE: All clear given after chlorine leak at sewer plant

TOMPKINSVILLE, Ky. (AP) – Officials in a southcentral Kentucky town say they’ve given the all clear after a chlorine leak at a sewer treatment plant prompted evacuations.

Monroe County Emergency Management Director David Rich told the Glasgow Daily Times (http://bit.ly/291sbbF) that those who were evacuated have been allowed to return to their homes. He said the leak happened Tuesday morning as workers attempted to change a filter.

Monroe County dispatcher J.W. Coomer said homes within 200 feet of the Tompkinsville plant were evacuated and those who live within 2,000 feet of the plant were asked to shelter in place. Coomer said he estimated a couple dozen homes were evacuated in addition to an apartment complex.

Rich said the evacuation lasted about two hours.

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1:10 p.m.

Officials say a chlorine leak at a sewer treatment plant has prompted evacuations in a southcentral Kentucky town.

Monroe County dispatcher J.W. Coomer said homes within 200 feet of the Tompkinsville plant have been evacuated and those who live within 2,000 feet of the plant have been asked to shelter in place.

Tompkinsville police dispatcher Wendell Owen said officers got a report of a chemical spill at the facility around 8:30 Tuesday morning. He said police were helping to block roads so people can’t get into the affected area.

Coomer said he estimates a couple dozen homes have been evacuated in addition to an apartment complex. He said evacuees can take shelter at the National Guard armory.

Emergency crews were still assessing the scene at midday.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.