Ammonia leak forces Memorial City Mall evacuation, no injuries reported

Memorial City Mall was evacuated Tuesday afternoon after maintenance workers reported an ammonia leak in the mall’s ice rink, Harris County emergency officials said. The Houston Fire Department responded and said the leak occurred at about 4:23 p.m. on Jan. 13, 2026. The mall remained closed through the evening while public-safety crews conducted inspections and remediation, and officials briefed the media on their response.

Mall operators temporarily closed the property as crews worked to secure the scene and verify air quality before allowing the public to return. The Chronicle reported that no injuries were reported. The incident was the second related ammonia leak at Memorial City Mall within weeks, a pattern that has heightened concern among nearby residents, employees and retailers who rely on steady foot traffic.

For shoppers and workers, the immediate impact was a sudden stoppage of activity: restaurants, stores and the ice rink paused operations for the evening, employees were sent home and scheduled customers were turned away. Local businesses inside the mall face short-term revenue losses from an unplanned closure, and workers may lose hours on short notice. The evacuation also created traffic and parking disruptions in the surrounding Memorial City area while emergency vehicles were on scene.

The Houston Fire Department provided guidance to residents about signs of ammonia exposure and urged anyone with symptoms or health concerns to seek medical attention. Investigators and remediation crews remained on site into the evening to ensure the leak was contained and that conditions met safety standards before reopening.

Beyond the immediate effects, two leaks in weeks raises questions about maintenance and the reliability of refrigeration and mechanical systems that serve ice rinks and other large facilities. For Harris County, repeated incidents can prompt closer scrutiny from regulators and could lead to more frequent inspections, updated maintenance protocols or new disclosure practices for facilities that use industrial refrigerants. There are also reputational risks for the mall operator as consumers weigh safety when choosing where to shop and spend time.

Our two cents? If you shop or work at Memorial City Mall, check official updates before heading over, follow HFD guidance on ammonia exposure, and plan for possible schedule disruptions. For mall operators and policymakers, this is a reminder that regular checks of refrigeration systems and clear communication with the public matter for safety and community confidence.