Hazmat crews contain refrigerant gas leak at Costco
CBC News
Posted: Feb 16, 2013 12:05 PM MT
Last Updated: Feb 16, 2013 11:59 AM MT
A leak of Freon closed Costco for a few hours Saturday while crews cleaned it up. (CBC)
The Costco store in southeast Calgary was closed temporarily on Saturday, because of a refrigerant gas leak in a warehouse.
The fire department was called to the store on Heritage Gate southeast around 5 a.m. MT.
A large volume of gas had spilled from a failed refrigeration unit, officials said.
Hazardous materials crews ventilated the area and deemed it safe for staff to return to the building by 9:30 a.m.
There was no danger to the public in the surrounding area and no injuries were reported, officials said.
Refrigerant gas is colourless and heavier than air with a faint sweetish odour. It is considered a respiratory irritant.
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