An area of Langley is closed off to the public Wednesday morning following an ammonia leak at a pet food manufacturing company.
Langley Township Deputy Fire Chief Bruce Ferguson told CKNW it could take up to 40 hours to clear the leak in the Gloucester area.
“Some people have been evacuated, some people have been sheltered in place,” Ferguson said. “There some businesses there that it’s safer for us to leave them in their business and not bring them out into the hot zone.”
The leak forced 150 workers to evacuate their businesses, and fortunately no one was hurt.
A malfunction in the refrigeration system at the frozen pet food manufacturer caused the leak, which has since been contained.
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Officials worked to release ammonia from the system in a controlled fashion.
WATCH: Langley hazmat situation forces road closures
“The equipment that they are using to contain the leak, they are using vacuum pumps to hold it in a vessel, if the vacuums pumps should fail it would intensify the situation, so we will be there until repairs are finished,” said Ferguson.
The Township of Langley says temporary road closures are currently in effect for:
- 56 Avenue and 272 Street
- 275 Street and Gloucester Way
- 268 Street and Gloucester Way
- East of the 26800 block of Townshipline Road
For businesses that have not yet been contacted by the fire department, but are in the area, employees were asked to shelter in place until further instructions are provided.
“When their shift comes to an end and it’s time for them to leave their businesses, we will assess the situation at that point and if it’s safe for them to leave their businesses and get directly out of the area, we will allow them to do that,” Ferguson added.
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