PRAYAGRAJ, March 2 -- A hazardous ammonia gas leak at Awadh Cold Store in Jogapur, Pratapgarh, triggered panic late Saturday evening. Prompt action by the fire brigade averted what could have escalated into a major disaster. Officials said the leak posed a serious risk of suffocation and severe skin burns. After receiving information, the fire brigade rushed to the spot. Four breathing operator sets were prepared, and trained personnel entered the cold storage facility to trace the source of the leak. After sustained efforts, the team successfully plugged the leak. The operation, however, exposed serious safety lapses at the facility. Fire officials said that to handle ammonia emergencies, every cold storage unit must have two breathing operator sets, an ammonia face mask and an ammonia chute. Only one breathing set was found at the site, and it was non-functional. Experts warned that had the leak not been contained in time, residents within a 3-kilometre radius could have been exposed to toxic gas and suffered serious health consequences....