Vancouver Police are investigating a hazmat incident after stumbling across potentially dangerous chemicals in a residential suite at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre.
Emergency crews converged at 1050 Burrard Street Saturday night after various chemicals were found in a suite on the 16th floor.
Contrary to statements made earlier by fire officials, police said the setup was not a clandestine drug lab.
“There were some chemicals that were in plastic and bottled containers,” said Const. Lindsey Houghton Sunday. “Out of an abundance of caution, we initiated haz-mat protocols.”
Officers were investigating the suite on an unrelated matter when they discovered the various chemicals. It appears they got there before any chemicals were mixed.
Samples of the unknown chemicals will be sent to a lab for testing and the results can take weeks to come back, said Houghton.
Because there was no risk to the public, the building wasn’t evacuated, although some residents were unable to access the main entrance and had to go around through the adjoining Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre hotel entrance.
Two hazmat vehicles and several fire trucks were on the scene Saturday night, and the block between Burrard and Hornby was taped off.
Hazmat crews were at the building cleaning up until around 5 a.m. Sunday morning.
No charges have been laid in relation to the chemicals.
The occupant of the suite, an adult male, was taken into custody as part of the original investigation.
– With file from Damian Inwood
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