A visible vapor cloud near the Corning Diesel facility Tuesday morning triggered evacuations and road closures before company officials clarified the source of the incident.
According to the Steuben County Office of Emergency Management, the county’s 911 Center received a call around 7:15 a.m. reporting a nitrogen leak at the Corning Diesel Plant on State Route 417 in the Town of Erwin. Forest View Gang Mills Fire Department responded and found a vapor cloud drifting toward I-99 and Route 417, reducing visibility.
Emergency crews evacuated the immediate area and set up traffic detours. Officials also established a local evacuation center at the Addison Community Center for residents affected by the response.
Emergency responders worked with plant officials to monitor the situation. County officials said conditions were stable and advised the public to avoid the area and use alternate routes if traveling on I-99 or Route 417.
Later in the morning, Corning provided additional clarification about the event. The company said the visible fog was not nitrogen gas but condensed water vapor caused by an equipment issue at the facility around 7 a.m.
“Around 7:00 this morning, an equipment issue at the Corning Diesel facility caused a visible fog of condensed water vapor,” a company spokesperson said. “Out of an abundance of caution, local emergency services were immediately notified and responded to the area.”
Corning said there was no evacuation of plant employees and that crews resolved the issue. The company also said the incident did not pose a safety or environmental hazard.
“There was no evacuation of plant employees, and the issue has been resolved,” the spokesperson said. “The community can be assured that the issue was neither a safety nor environmental hazard.”
County officials said additional updates would be provided as information becomes available.
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