LANGLEY, B.C. — An ammonia leak at a dog-food manufacturing facility in the Township of Langley south of Vancouver has forced the evacuation of an industrial area.
Deputy fire chief Bruce Ferguson says the ammonia leaked when a refrigeration system failed but maintenance contractors had contained it by the time firefighters arrived so there is no danger to the public.
Haz mat situation in Langley https://www.langleytimes.com/news/ammonia-gas-leak-in-langley-township/
Posted by Langley Times on Wednesday, 24 October 2018
However, Ferguson says the fire department has evacuated businesses within a 400-metre radius of the Gloucester Industrial Estates in case the contractors' vacuum pumps fail.
He says an ammonia alarm would have gone off at the facility that makes freeze-dried dog food, prompting a call to refrigeration contractors.
Ammonia is used as a refrigerant and a leak can corrode the skin, eyes and lungs and can also cause respiratory failure.
Temporary road closures: 56 Avenue and 272 Street, 275 Street and Gloucester Way, 268 Street and Gloucester Way, and east of the 26800 block of Townshipline Road. Read more: https://t.co/p28huJgEc0
— Township of Langley (@LangleyTownship) October 24, 2018
