Crews cleaning up 6,000 litre gas spill in Coldstream

A full-scale clean-up is underway in Coldstream after a large gas spill leaked 6,000 litres of fuel.

A fueling truck was filling the tanks at Centex gas station at around 12:30 a.m. when the driver noticed gas overflowing. He called 911.

The gas station has containment perimeters, which officials say caught much of the spill on-site. They say the gas that did make it off-site didn’t make it to the storm drainage system and that there is no concern about tainting the district’s water supply.

The smell of gas is overwhelming in Coldstream, as 6,000 litres spilled early Wednesday morning. An investigation is underway to determine how the large spill happened and its environmental impact. Kimberly Davidson has more from the scene.

Coldstream Elementary and Creekside Montessori Children’s School are closed as contractors continue cleaning up.

Coldstream Elementary is expected to re-open tomorrow.

The District of Coldstream also issued a news release early Wednesday morning stating that its office is also closed.

The municipal hall was supposed to be one of three advanced voting locations for the Vernon & District Multi-Use Facility Expansion referendum. Voting is still underway at the Regional District of North Okanagan office on Aberdeen Road and Vernon city hall on 30th Street.

The district office will reopen at 8 a.m. tomorrow.

The community hall is also closed and nearby residents living on Kalamalka Lake Road have been asked to stay indoors.

Officials say the ice and snow on site has helped the clean-up process, as it has helped absorb the gas. Crews are now steaming the ice and snow to melt it and remove the gas.

An environmental assessment is currently underway. The Ministry of Environment says charges are a possibility, depending on what comes out of the investigation.

– with files from Kimberly Davidson and Kelly Hayes