By Canadian Press

Residents forced from homes due to ammonia leak in Fernie, B.C. allowed to return

Oct 22, 2017 | 12:30 PM

FERNIE, B.C. — Nearly 100 people forced from their homes by a deadly ammonia leak at an ice rink in Fernie, B.C., have been allowed to return.

Fernie fire Chief Ted Ruiter said on Sunday that lab tests show there is no longer a safety risk in the area following a leak that killed three men at the Fernie Memorial Arena last week.

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

An evacuation order for the 95 residents of 55 homes was lifted Sunday morning, but the arena and community centre remain closed indefinitely as investigators continue trying to determine the cause of the leak.

Seven of the homes were left without power following the evacuation. All residents have been warned that they may smell ammonia and air quality testing will be done to monitor levels of the gas.

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Now that the danger has subsided, crews are treating the incident as a clean up operation rather than an emergency response, Ruiter said.

Tests have also shown there is no ammonia left in the ice rink’s system and officials believe it has all been released, he added. Brine in the arena has been contaminated and will need to be removed and treated.

Ammonia is used in mechanical refrigeration systems, including those in ice rinks. The colourless gas is toxic if inhaled.

The municipality shuttered its operations Friday as staff grieved the loss of their co-workers. Norm McInnis, the city’s chief administrative officer, said staff are expecting to return to work Monday.

Counsellors have been made available to help people deal with grief and stress.

Plans are also in the works for a community memorial to remember the three men, McInnis said, his voice choked with emotion.

He said the event, likely to take place early next month, will show the families how much their loved ones will be missed.

The Canadian Press