A chemical spill at the Husky Oil plant Friday morning forced emergency crews to ask a few businesses in Saskatoon’s North Industrial area to shut down early.
The Saskatoon Fire Department said a tanker truck was offloading hydrochloric acid with a hose when the spill occurred. Crews on scene weren’t exactly sure how much acid spilled, but the fire department estimated it may have been up to 10,000 litres.
The oil plant, located on the 800 block of 50th Street East, was evacuated. Hazmat crews were called to the scene just after 9 a.m.
A total of eight people – three on site, five off site – were treated for respiratory concerns, but no one was sent to hospital.
Emergency crews and officials from the environment ministry were still working to neutralize the spill late Friday afternoon.
“This clean-up process may produce a toxic gas. As a precautionary measure, businesses to the north and west of the spill are being asked to shut down and dismiss employees,” the fire department said in a media release.
“The Saskatoon Fire Department and the Saskatoon Police Service are going door-to-door to ask a small number of businesses in the affected area to leave as soon as possible.”
Traffic restrictions were put in place at Wentz and Cleveland avenues on 50th and 51st streets as crews cleaned the spill.
