1 dead after ammonia leak in Kamloops, B.C., industrial park
One person is dead following an ammonia leak at Arctic Glacier, an ice-making business in Kamloops, B.C., on Thursday morning.
The victim was a contractor hired to do maintenance work at the business, according to Kamloops assistant chief of operations Darryl Cooper.
He said the news was upsetting for the community.
"I know the firefighting community was affected by it quite strongly. Not a good day when we can't affect a rescue to save somebody,” Cooper said.
Two other workers managed to escape the scene.
Deputy fire chief Ryan Cail said the incident appears to have been caused by a "malfunction with an ammonia bottle."
"The valve was dislodged, broke or malfunctioned. We're not aware of how it was discharged, but a large amount of ammonia was released," Cail said.
In a statement, Arctic Glacier described what happened as an "unexpected accident," and said the tragedy has left staff devastated.
"Artic Glacier is working co-operatively with all regulatory authorities and other workplace parties involved in the matter," the company said. "We would like to thank first responders for their efforts in responding expeditiously to the incident."
B.C. Emergency Health Services told CTV News paramedics transported three patients to hospital, one of whom was in critical condition. Others were assessed at the scene.
The City of Kamloops later confirmed one patient died at Royal Inland Hospital.
Officials said the leak was discovered at 790 East Sarcee St., in the Mount Paul Industrial Park, forcing the temporary evacuation of a number of nearby businesses.
The evacuations have since been lifted and the public has been allowed to return to the area.
WorkSafeBC said a team of occupational health and safety officers has been deployed to Kamloops to launch an investigation, but could not provide any further details.
Kamloops RCMP and the B.C. Coroners Service are also investigating.
Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth addressed the incident in a statement, offering "deepest condolences to the grieving family and friends of the deceased individual."
"Our hearts are with them," Farnworth said.
"Workers and their families should not have to worry about their safety and well-being when they are on the job. Tragedies such as this strengthen our resolve to ensure everyone in B.C. can enjoy a safe workplace."
Ammonia is commonly found in refrigeration systems, fertilizers and cleaning products, and high concentrations can be fatal "within a few breaths," according to WorkSafeBC.
Back in 2017, an ammonia leak in the small community of Fernie resulted in tragedy, claiming the lives of three men at the local hockey arena.
An investigative report later released by Technical Safety BC blamed the leak on an aging ice-chilling system that was well past its service life, and warned of increased reports of ammonia-related incidents in the refrigeration industry.
With files from CTV News Vancouver's Tahmina Aziz and The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.