HOUSTON, Texas – The question many workers, nearby residents, and shoppers want to know on Wednesday is if Memorial City Mall will reopen today after being evacuated and shut down on Tuesday due to an ammonia leak at the ice skating rink.
On Tuesday, the Houston Fire Department said the mall had to be shut down due to the leak, which was reported around 4:30 p.m.
Although the fire department said the leak stayed in the mechanical area near the ice rink system, the mall had to remain closed because ammonia, which is used to keep ice frozen, when leaked, can irritate the eyes and lungs.
On Tuesday, firefighters ventilated the area, and about 30 mall employees and an ice hockey team practicing on the ice rink were evacuated. No injuries were reported.
In December, the mall was also evacuated after an ammonia leak at the ice rink.
KPRC 2 has reached out to city management about the reopening and any new changes. As of this writing, we have not received a response.