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.
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.
Video shows person break into Old Montreal building before fatal fire that killed mother, daughter
The two people who died in a major fire in Old Montreal on Friday were a mother and her seven-year-old daughter, sources told Noovo Info.
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.
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.
Storm brewing in Gulf of Mexico could intensify into a hurricane, threatening Florida
A storm system brewing in the Gulf of Mexico is expected to reach tropical storm status later Saturday, with forecasters warning it could intensify into a hurricane headed to Florida next week.
America votes: How the election could impact the Canada-U.S. border
While America's southern border remains a hot button issue on the campaign trail, the result of the U.S. election in November could also impact the northern frontier with Canada, which remains the longest undefended border in the world.
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.
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.