No injuries after ammonia leak in Claresholm
Posted Aug 22, 2019 2:17 pm.
Last Updated Aug 22, 2019 7:57 pm.
CLARESHOLM (CityNews) – A state of local emergency in Claresholm has ended after a small ammonia leak at a business.
Just before 7 p.m. on Thursday, the Claresholm Fire department together with the Lethbridge Fire department’s hazmat team managed to contain the ammonia leak at El Molino Foods.
Town officials released a statement noting there is no longer a concern for public safety as the threat has been neutralized.
Brady Schnell with the Town of Claresholm said the leak happened at 12:45 p.m. on #1 Alberta Rd.
“We’ve evacuated a radius of 400 metres around the facility. The Town of Claresholm did declare a state of emergency as a precaution,” he said.
The Lethbridge Fire department sent a hazardous materials team to the scene at 3:30 p.m. According to Claresholm fire chief Sean Kelly the situation is under control.
“All of the employees were able to get out of the building — there were no injuries.”
Chemical Hazard Alert Updated Aug22 203PM Take necessary precautions. Claresholm https://t.co/L8ht6OCtPQ #ABhazmat #ABemerg
— Alberta Emergency Alert (@AB_EmergAlert) August 22, 2019
The state of local emergency was issued shortly after 2:00 p.m. local time and evacuations were a possibility, according to Alberta Emergency Alert.
Lethbridge Fire department, MD of Willow Creek, Town of Stavely, Town of Granum and Town of Fort Macleod assisted with the incident.
I'm at Claresholm, about an hour and a half away from Calgary, where a local food importer (circled) had an ammonia leak. As a precaution the town declared a state of emergency. Around 6 nearby businesses in a 400m radius were evacuated. #yyc @BTCityNewsCGY @660NEWS pic.twitter.com/9Of94au8mp
— Saif Kaisar (@StaySaif) August 22, 2019
Highway 2 remains open through the town, and Alberta Health Services confirmed nobody was hurt.
Gina Pinkerton, who lives in Claresholm, says she was on her way to Tim Horton’s when she was forced to take a detour because the road was blocked.
Claresholm is located about 130 kilometres south of Calgary.
