Seven people were taken to the hospital after an ammonia leak occurred at a food facility, according to the Modesto Fire Department. Officials said firefighters responded to the leak at a facility on Lapham Drive. When firefighters arrived, they found the facility evacuated with multiple staff members reporting a respiratory irritation from a possible chemical exposure. Fire officials said seven people were taken to local hospitals and several others were treated at the site. Officials said members of a hazmat team responded to assist with identifying and stopping the chemical release. A total of 29 firefighters from Modesto and Stanislaus Consolidated Fire responded to the scene. The Stanislaus County Department of Environmental Resources also assisted in the incident.