2 October 2007
Overweight Tanks Cause Evacuation
Emergency services workers were on the scene after a tank car
carrying propane was found to be leaking at the Canadian Pacific Railway yard in downtown Moose Jaw on Monday
afternoon.
Moose Jaw Saskatchewan - Moose Jaw on Monday declared a
precautionary state of emergency for the area immediately adjacent to the Canadian Pacific Railway yards downtown, in response to a
propane leak from a rail car in the yards.
Residents were advised to stay away from the immediate area around the yards.
Officials said that two tanks were overweight, with one tank periodically venting propane gas.
Stores and businesses were evacuated and about 12 residents asked to move at about 2 p.m. on Monday. Arrangements were made for these
residents to stay elsewhere for the night.
The CPR and the owners of the cars decided that they would either be transporting the cars out of town, where they would transfer the
gases into other tanks, or they would ignite the propane coming out of the tanks to slowly burn off the excess.
A four-block radius around the CPR's main yard was evacuated Monday afternoon after crews noticed a strong smell coming
from a tank car carrying propane.
Although the tankers are designed to vent gases from the top of the car, CPR spokeswoman Breanne Feigel said crews noticed it was
"venting more than usual."
The train was heading eastbound at the time of the incident.
Police and firefighters were called around 1:45 p.m., and the areas from 2nd Avenue NE to 2nd Avenue NW and Manitoba to River streets
were cordoned off.
Late Monday, roads remained blocked and firefighters stayed on the scene until experts in Regina employed by the company shipping the
propane could arrive to investigate.
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