Evacuation order lifted for Fernie homes near site of fatal ammonia leak

An evacuation order has been lifted for several homes near an arena in Fernie, B.C. that was the site a fatal ammonia leak earlier in the week.

About 55 homes were evacuated from the immediate area around the Fernie Memorial Arena after the leak claimed three lives.

Ninety-five people are now allowed to return home.

“The situation at the arena has stabilized and the experts on scene are now comfortable that there is no longer an ammonia threat at the arena. It is now safe for residents to return home and the on-scene investigation to continue,” Fire Chief Ted Ruiter said in a release.

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Two men from Fernie and one from Alberta died last Tuesday and authorities are trying to piece together a timeline leading up to the deaths.

Wayne Hornquist, 59, and Lloyd Smith, 52, worked for the City of Fernie while 46-year-old Jason Podloski worked for refrigeration company CIMCO.

The cause of the leak is still under investigation.

— With files from The Canadian Press