Hazmat members investigate leak (Lance Wheeler photo)

GREENPORT – Columbia and Greene County HazMat team members were called to the scene of a noxious gas leak at Yonder Farms' cold storage facility on Route 66 in Greenport on Saturday.

Some 20 pounds of ammonia had leaked from a valve there in an incident Greenport Fire Chief Gary Mazzacano later said was caused by the extreme heat. Temperatures in the region had hit the mid to upper 90s.

While emergency crews worked to stop the leak and investigate the situation, Route 66 was closed and stores at nearby Healy Corner Plaza was closed and shoppers were evacuated. The road was reopened about four hours later.

There were no reports of injuries.