No injuries reported after chlorine gas leak forces evacuation of Regina YMCA
Regina's northwest YMCA was forced to evacuate due to a chlorine gas leak.
At 10:04 a.m. on Sunday, residents were forced out of the centre following reports of an unknown odour in the facility.
Units and personnel of the Regina Fire and Protective Services (RFPS) along with city police arrived at the scene located on the 5900 block of Rochdale Boulevard.
“Upon investigation we determined it was a chlorine leak associated with part of the distribution system for the pool,” RFPS deputy chief and spokesperson Dustin McCullough told CTV News.
McCullough went on to say that the leak was tracked to a valve in the facility's water treatment system.
Steve Compton, the CEO of YMCA Regina, confirmed no one was hurt during the incident.
“In an abundance of caution, we had the building evacuated,” he said.
“We’re hopeful that we’ll be able to resolve this today and reopen shortly but what were really fortunate is that we don’t have any reported injuries or illnesses at this time either.”
As of 1 p.m. crews remained at the scene working to ventilate the building.
Chlorine gas is categorized as acutely toxic and corrosive to the respiratory system, according to Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety.
The gas has the ability to cause skin burns, eye damage and can prove fatal if inhaled.
McCullough said fire crews utilized personal protective equipment and chlorine monitors in order to safety work at the scene.
“This is something we are prepared for. We have several facilities in the city that use chlorine to treat water, as with pools and water treatment processes so we are familiar with chlorine,” he said.
“It is one of the hazards in the community that we do train for and prepare for.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Judge holds Trump in contempt, fines him US$9,000 and raises threat of jail in hush money trial
Donald Trump was held in contempt of court Tuesday and fined US$9,000 for repeatedly violating a gag order that barred him from making public statements about witnesses, jurors and some others connected to his New York hush money case. If he does it again, the judge warned, he could be jailed.
McGill requests 'police assistance' over pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University says it has 'requested police assistance' about the pro-Palestinian encampment on its lower field.
BREAKING 4 dead, including infant, in wrong-way crash involving police on Ontario's Highway 401
A wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby, Ont. last night has left four people dead, including an infant, Ontario’s police watchdog says.
New cancer treatment approved, but not everyone thinks it's what's best for patients
A new cancer treatment recently approved in Canada promises to cut treatment time down to just minutes, but experts have differing opinions on whether it's what's best for patients.
Air Canada walks back new seat selection policy change after backlash
Air Canada has paused a new seat selection fee for travellers booked on the lowest fares just days after implementing it.
Statistics Canada says real GDP grew 0.2 per cent in February
Canada's GDP rose 0.2 per cent in February, driven by a rebound in transportation and warehousing, which saw the largest recorded month-to-month rise in over a year at 1.4 per cent.
Canada's new dental program offering hope of free care to millions but many dentists aren't signed up
A new Canadian dental care program is offering the hope of free care to millions, but while 1.7 million people have signed up for the plan, only about 5,000 dentists have done the same.
Police searching for 'armed man' in Dartmouth, N.S., residents asked to shelter in place
Residents in the area of Gaston Road in Dartmouth, N.S., are being asked to shelter in place as police search for an armed suspect.
Province boots mayor and council in small northern Ont. town out of office
An ongoing municipal strike, court battles and revolt by half of council has prompted the province to oust the mayor and council in Black River-Matheson.