An ammonia leak caused a hazmat scare in the North Valley Tuesday night.
Cal Fire says a 4" pipe exploded at the Dole plant in Atwater around 6:40 p.m. releasing 100 gallons of ammonia.
Merced County fire, police and hazmat crews immediately evacuated 175 employees and residents living within a mile of the plant.
The pipe was repaired and evacuation orders were lifted a couple hours later.
Cal Fire says employees will be allowed to return to work on Wednesday.
Investigators are trying to determine the cause of the pipe failure.
