Just before 3pm yesterday the Kelowna Fire Department responded to a hazardous material incident at Sun Valley Processed Foods on Leckie.

 

The Manager on location stated that there were two products, 4 litres of chlorine bleach at 12% and a pound of citric acid that split in the middle of warehouse. All business has material safety data sheets for chemicals used in their operation. Using the information on these sheets assisted us in finding out that these two products produced chorine gas vapours. These vapours are dangerous to the body’s respiratory system. Hazmat 3, 3 engine companies, command unit, rescue truck, Hazardous material trailer and the Hazardous material team respond to the scene with assistance from BCAS, RCMP. Canutec for dangerous goods (transport Canada) was also contacted as an emergency response advisor.The building HVAC system is shared by the 3 business, 100 people were evaluated and were examined and treated by ambulance crews. 2 people and 1 paramedic were showing  symptoms form the vapours in air and were taken to hospital as a precaution measure. RCMP assisted in securing area and evacuating business.Hazmat team entered and building using chemical resistant suites and breathing apparatus. Team contain spill and neutralize area where the spill had occurred. Building was ventilatedusing high powered exhaust fans. Hazmat Team retested the air in each business and people were allowed to re-enter building.With the advice from our emergency response advisor all precautions were taken today on this call because of not knowing all the by-products that could come from chemicals when they are mixed together. The Kelowna fire department also dealt with other calls in area from the smell coming from the scene.