(UPDATED) Thurlow and Melville Streets closed for hazmat investigation
Thurlow and Melville Streets are closed in both directions for a hazmat situation.
Vancouver – bothways Thurlow St at Melville closed for HazMat investigation
— Trafficnet Vancouver (@TrafficVancity) November 13, 2015
Something spilled maybe as @VanFireRescue on scene with Hazmat trucks. Thurlow @ Melville blocked @NEWS1130Traffic pic.twitter.com/eqRSY7X4pV — Wet Coast Life (@wetcoastlife) November 13, 2015
Previously West Georgia Street at Thurlow was also closed for the hazmat situation, but has since reopened.
Vancouver – northbound W Georgia St/Hwy-1A at Thurlow St closed for HazMat investigation – CLEAR
— Trafficnet Vancouver (@TrafficVancity) November 13, 2015
Jonathan Gormick with the Vancouver Fire Department told Vancity Buzz the area was evacuated due to a propane leak from a 3/4 tonne van.
“We secured the area and then the hazmat team was called in. They did some readings around the area to assess if the neighbouring buildings were safe and some of them were evacuated just as a precaution,” said Gormick.
He said propane is heavier and has a tendency to sink, unlike natural gas which is relatively safe. The hazmat team is transferring the propane from the leaking container into one of their own.
People are now being let back into their buildings, although the streets are still closed.