Emergency crews respond to cylinder leak near Hume Hotel
By Nelson Daily Staff
Emergency crews rushed to the scene of a spill late Wednesday morning on Ward Street near the Hume Hotel’s Beer Mike’s Place Pub.
The call came into Nelson Fire Department at 11:32 a.m. that an unknown substance was leaking in the alley behind the Hume Hotel.
All on duty members responded immediately with one engine and a command vehicle.
When firefighters arrived, Fire Chief Simon Grypma noticed a strong ammonia-like odour.
Fire officials found the vapor was escaping from a cylinder that had been damaged and was in the back of a pick-up truck.
The cylinder had been removed from the basement of the Red Fish Grill. The operator of the truck was directed to take the cylinder to an area away from any persons and allow it to finish venting.
The engine crew arrived and evaluated the extent of the contamination. A partial evacuation was conducted of the Hume Hotel until the odour had dissipated.
The Nelson Police Department responded and assisted with keeping the public a safe distance away until the hazard was mitigated.
EHS responded with two ambulances and treated the two workers that were exposed and transported them to hospital for decontamination and evaluation.
The other ambulance assessed hotel staff that were exposed and transported four employees to the hospital for observation.
City of Nelson Public Works was called to assist with the cleanup of the product that was on the ground.
The incident is under investigation by Worksafe BC.
In all, four firefighters responded to the incident with one fire engine, and two utility vehicles.
