Cleanup continues after firefighting foam spills into B.C. creek
The cleanup and remediation continues in Abbotsford, B.C., after firefighting foam spilled into a creek, killing fish and other aquatic life.
For a second day, crews are working at Stoney Creek trying to minimize further environmental damage after firefighting foam was accidently released from a disconnected hose.
“I’m horrified that this has happened,” said Kelly Perrin, an Abbotsford resident and community activist.
The city said that the foam, called Phos-Chek, entered a storm drain and then the waterway, killing fish.
“I saw about five or six of the fish floating. They were dying. I was pretty sad,” said Abbotsford resident Sharon Houle.
“I expect everything died. Not only the fish, but the algae seemed to all have been killed,” said Perrin.
He estimates thousands of fish were lost, though the city has not provided any numbers.
Perrin said he first reported the incident to the city Wednesday evening, but says he did not see any cleanup crews until the next day.
“I’m extremely disappointed that the city did it and the city did not launch a competent emergency response to the toxic spill,” he said.
Perrin said he entered the creek initially to document what was happening, but later had concerns for himself when he returned home.
“I started to notice my legs were burning. I thought it was laundry soap I just went and washed it off. The stinging sensation has not left my legs since that event,” he said, adding that other people and their pets were also in the water after the spill happened.
Perrin said he’s frustrated that despite repeated attempts, no one would tell him the name of the foam until Friday morning.
“I asked the fireman on duty can you please show me the bottle from the truck of what you dumped down the drain. He refused to,” Perrin said.
No one from the City of Abbotsford was available for comment Friday, but the fire chief earlier told CTV News that the spill incident will be investigated.
“Now that we’ve realized that it’s occurred we’re working with city operations,” Chief Eric Peterson said.
“The City of Abbotsford is extremely apologetic that this has occurred and we want to remedy this as quickly as possible,” he added.
Meanwhile, the city is working with federal and provincial officials on remediation efforts.
Abbotsford is installing special fencing to restrict access to the area from fish and other waterborne species.
“Fish and other water species will be monitored to further minimize any impact,” a release from the city said.
“A water treatment system is being set up at the park where water quality will be continuously monitored and treated. It will operate 24 hours a day and will take over the water testing and the vacuum and flush trucks removing remaining residue.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'I screamed in shock and horror': Family faces deadly Vancouver hit-and-run driver during sentencing
The sentencing of the man who pleaded guilty in the deadly hit-and-run in Kitsilano two years ago began on Friday.
Montreal business hit with Molotov cocktail 2 nights in a row: police
Montreal police say a business in the city's Pointe-Saint-Charles neighbourhood was hit with Molotov cocktails two nights in a row.
Keanu Reeves spins out at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in pro auto racing debut
Hollywood star Keanu Reeves made his professional auto racing debut on Saturday in an event in which 'The Matrix' star spun out at famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Frequent drinking of fizzy beverages and fruit juice are linked to an increased risk of stroke: research
New data raises questions about the drinks people consume and the potential risks associated with them, according to researchers at Galway University in Ireland, in partnership with Hamilton’s McMaster University.
Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard found not guilty of sexual assault
Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard has been found not guilty of sexually assaulting a young woman in northeastern Ontario eight years ago. The former Hedley frontman had pleaded not guilty to sexual assault.
Police arrest Toronto woman in connection with three recent homicides
Police have arrested a Toronto woman in connection with three recent homicides and investigators say that they believe two of the victims may have been 'randomly targeted.'
Attempts to cross the English Channel on small boats leave 4 migrants, including a child, dead
French authorities said four migrants, including a two-year-old child, died Saturday in two separate incidents as they attempted to cross the English Channel toward Britain.
This Ottawa photo radar camera issued 200 tickets a day over the summer
New data shows the automated speed enforcement camera on King Edward Avenue, between Bolton Street and St. Patrick Street, issued 6,337 speeding tickets in August, the highest number of tickets issued by Ottawa's 40 photo radar cameras.
OPP charge driver going 175 km/h on Highway 417 in Ottawa
Ontario Provincial Police have laid stunt charges against a driver caught speeding 75 km/h over the speed limit on Highway 417 in Ottawa's west end.