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(UPDATE: May 31 @ 2:53 pm) - The Government of BC has confirmed that there is no further leaking from any tank within the Arctic Glacier Canada ice facility.
On May 26th, an ammonia leak was reported at an industrial site on Sarcee Street East in Kamloops.
The release occurred during routine maintenance and resulted in the death of a facility employee, with three other workers taken to the hospital for treatment.
The facility was evacuated and the release was shut off and the spill was confined to the building.
While there is no danger to the public, the facility will remain closed as the cause of the leak is investigated by WorkSafeBC and the RCMP.
According to the provincial government, the responsible person or spiller is legally required to clean up or manage the clean-up of a spill.
(UPDATE: May 26 @ 1:45 pm) - One person has died as a result of an ammonia leak in Kamloops this morning.
The City of Kamloops confirmed that the individual transported to Royal Inland Hospital in critical condition has died.
A spokeswoman with BC Emergency Health Services said two others were hospitalized in stable condition and six people were assessed at the scene.
"Public safety is our top priority - the scene is now stable and the evacuated businesses and other citizens can go about their business in the area," the City said.
According to the City, emergency crews rushed to the scene this morning after a "large amount of ammonia" was discharged at a business in the Mount Paul Industrial Park around 10:30 am.
An investigation into how the ammonia was released is ongoing.
“With public safety secured now, police will be conducting a parallel investigation to that of WorkSafe BC to establish what led to the fatal leak,” said Cst. Crystal Evelyn.
The BC Coroner’s Service will also be conducting a concurrent investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Tk’emlúps Rural RCMP at 250-314-1800 and reference file 2022-17544.
With files from the Canadian Press.
(UPDATE: May 26 @ 12:20 pm) - Emergency crews remain on scene around the area of Carrier St after an ammonia leak was reported in the Mount Paul Industrial Park.
Kamloops Fire Rescue has confirmed that one person was pulled from a building in critical condition.
@KamFire hazmat crews are on scene monitoring in place. Please avoid the area around Carrier St. Crews pulled 1 person from building in critical condition.
— Kamloops Fire Rescue (@KamFire) May 26, 2022
Residents are asked to avoid the area for the time being.
(ORIGINAL STORY May 26 @ 11:35 am) - The City of Kamloops has released a notice to the public via social media that there has been an ammonia leak on 790 Sarcee St. E.
Just after 11 am, RCMP closed down the roads on Carrier Street as well as on Sarcee Street East and West.
KFR’s hazmat team is currently on the scene working to control the situation and evacuate nearby businesses.
It stinks very very bad. Don't get too close. We got out in a couple min and now have headaches and sweaty and hurt lungs.
— Ana Sima (@Ana1Sima) May 26, 2022
Notice to the public: There is currently an ammonia leak in Kamloops at 790 Sarcee Street East in Mount Paul Industrial Park. KFR's Hazmat team is on route and RCMP are assisting with road closures. The road is closed on Carrier Street as well as on Sarcee (east and west).
— City of Kamloops (@cityofkamloops) May 26, 2022
Residents are asked to avoid the area for the time being to allow crews to properly do their work.
The Royal Inland Hospital has declared a ‘Code Orange’, a state of preparation for disaster or mass casualties.
NowMedia will update the story as we receive more information.
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