14 - Wednesday, December 3, 1997 -- North Shore News

Source of gas
leak located

Anna Marie D'Angelo

News Reporter
dangelo@usnews.com

A three-block evacua-
tion last Thursday that
included Lonsdale ele-

ii bt 58 2

mentary school was
caused by a broken
glass tube connected to
a pressurized ammonia
tank at Lonsdale
RecCentre’s ice skating
rink.

North Vancouver City
assistant fire chief Barry
Sotham said he didn’t know
how much ammonia leaked
out into the air during the
leak, but ammonia escaped
from the tank for about ane
hour.

The tank can hold S06 gal-
Jons (3,000 litres) of gas. It
was half full after the leak.

Sotham said a ree centre
staff member doing carpentry
work accidentally had a tool
or piece of woud hit wd break
the glass tube, which connect-
ed the ammonia tank to the
ice maker for the skating rink.

The glass tube is about 2
cm (10 inches) in length and
1 cm (1/2 inch) i in diameter,

said Sotham.

Ammonia is used os the
refrigerant in the ice-
process for the skating rink,
Houschold
freon as are

TI worker w he broke the
giass didn’t Know
off the flow of ammonia from
the tank.

He was nor wearing cloth-
ing thar would protect: him
trom the corrosive gas and
had to “basically ran for it,”
said Sothan,

North Vancouver Cir
fighters in hazardous ma
suits stopped the leak by shut-
ting nwo valves, one on the
tank and one connected to the
ice-making machine.

The firse firefighters on the
scene were not dressed prop-

and couk! nor see the
valves because of an ammonia
vapor cloud, said Sorham.

Ammonia gas, when com-
bined with water, can burn
the skin. Breathing ammonia
causes burning and irritation
in a person’s mucous mem-
branes.

Lonsdale RecCentre coor-

fire:

dinator Perry Kulak said seaff

reviewed cvacuation proce-
dures on Tuesday.
He said towels and blan-

in a 98 Pathfinder
§ Chilkoot Trail Edition

Anew Special Edition model with rugged good fooks featuring: 3.3ittre, V6 engine, “shift on the fy"

NEWS phote Terry Peters

NORTH Vancouver City assistant fire chief Barry Sotham speaks to Mayor Jack Loucks shortly after an

ammonia leak was stopped last Thursday at the Lonsdale Recreation Centre.

kets were going to be more
readily available for people
needing to be evacuated from
the swimming pool.

We have something to ghow you .

our appreciation.
you thank You

Join BCAA ‘or custémer Appreciation Day 2
soaturday, Décember 6th. Aak all BCAA locations

Thank. te: ;
You G:

& 7,
* seasonal festivities and decorations HR
¢ special door prizes « refreshments

TRAVEL SPECIALS:
¢ Hot deals to Mexico
* Special bonuses and upgrades-with

FEATURE DOOR PRIZE:

Samsonite duffel bag
RAND PRIZE DRAW:

Enter to win a trip for two to Puerto Vallarta!

per month Courtesy of Sunflight Holidays

four whee drive, limited slip rear differential, side step rails, air conditioning, 100 watt 6 speaker
AM FM CD, power features, keyless remote entry, cruise control, roof rack, anti thett system, fog
fights, compass, outside temp display, 5 spd manual transmission, carbon fibre console (AA00)

Based on NCFI, S350 d’p, 36 mos. tease,

Ta height po & av appleable tes Inctudes airfare from Vancouver,

_1-week accommodation & transfers!

ratte Royal North Mall
J. 268-5650" :

, re Ree Se p
Ly “ P
ior ina 98 Maxima %
The more intelligent luxury and pertonnance sedan, featuring power windows &
B door locks, heated mirrors, CFC free air conditioning, iftuminated entry system, 4
spd auto trans, dual air bags, anvém cassette with 4 speakers, cruise control. V6
190hp engine, 15° wheels 2nd much more (AEOO)

Grand prize
you to any ‘BCAA office by December” courtesy of
per month ‘6th to,be entered. to-win @ ap for ”

Based on NCFI. $3500 dp, 24 mos tease. plus freight, pd: & alt applicable taxes .
Te, v= . Are you # BCAA member? (1) ne C1) ves

if yes, BCAA Membecship & RIP IB) -
OOOO00HO-00

BCAA Customers Appreciation Day
Saturday, December 6
Contest ends Dec. 6. Contest details available on request

© Vehele may not be exactly as shawn

Postal Code

vamp gustan eee

04+96- (9x8+4)=