One person died after an ammonia leak on Thursday at an ice plant in the industrial area of Kamloops, British Columbia
The leak began at the Arctic Glacier Ice building on 790 Sarcee St. East in Mount Paul Industrial Park around 10:30 a.m. PT.
About six people in stable condition have been assessed on the spot, the Emergency Medical Service of the BC announced.
The Internal Health Administration said four people had arrived at the Royal Inland Hospital in connection with the incident. According to police, the one who was taken to hospital in critical condition has since died.
Internal Health says the others have been treated as needed and released.
Deputy Fire Chief Ryan Cale told the Canadian Press that the victim was believed to be a man in his 60s.
An RCMP vehicle was seen near the ammonia leak site in Kamloops, British Columbia, on Thursday. (Marcella Bernardo / CBC)
According to The Canadian Press, Cale says there was a malfunction with an ammonia bottle.
“The valve was displaced, broken or faulty. We do not know how it was released, but a large amount of ammonia was released,” he said, adding that two other employees had managed to escape from the building.
“The details of how this particular person failed to escape are unknown,” and will be investigated, he said.
RCMP, WorkSafeBC and the BC Coroner’s Office are also investigating the incident.
Chris Leader says he heard a “crack” followed by a stream of smoke coming from the building where the ammonia leak occurred. (Jennifer Norwell / CBC)
Kamloops Fire Rescue responds to leaks, as does WorkSafeBC. The industrial park is north of downtown Kamloops, on the other side of the South Thompson River.
Cale says the crews didn’t realize they were dealing with ammonia until they arrived to detect a strong odor in the air.
“The crews learned after arriving at the scene that it was actually a cloud of ammonia escaping from a bottle of the building’s facility,” Cale told CBC News.
Chris Leader, who is about 200 meters from the leak site, had lunch in his truck when he said he heard “popping” and saw “great big” smoke coming out of the Arctic Glacier Ice building. He said the smoke had risen to about 30 meters and had been blown east.
He says he and his colleagues have been told to evacuate as soon as possible, but have not been told how long they should stay away.
“[It was] a little scary, “he said.” It was ammonia and you know what it can do. “
The area around 790 Sarcee Street East in Kamloops, British Columbia, is visible in Google Streetview. (Google Streetview)
Ammonia is a colorless but sharp gas used in refrigeration, electricity generation and manufacturing.
Inhalation of low concentrations of ammonia can irritate the eyes and respiratory system, but large amounts can be fatal. Three people were killed in a leak while trying to repair ice production equipment on a hockey rink in Fernie, British Columbia, in 2017.
A person in critical condition was transported to
BCEHS confirms that 5 ground paramedic teams and 2 supervisors have responded to the 700 block on Sarcee Street.
Expect more details pic.twitter.com/IlqU3vDi29
– @ MBernardoNews
RCMP Const. Crystal Evelyn said most of the roads around the scene were reopened, except in the immediate area of Sarcee Street.
In a tweet, the city of Kamloops said the scene was considered stable and people who had been evacuated could “do their job in the area”.
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