About a quarter of the people living in Bruce Mines, Ontario evacuated from their homes after ammonia was detected in the area originating from Bruce Mines Community Arena

Hwy 17 closed at Bruce Mines. Town partially evacuated (now open)

Sunday, July 26, 2015   by: SooToday.com Staff

NEWS RELEASES
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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12:35 a.m. update

 

OPP wish to advise motorists that Highyway 17 at Bruce Mines is now open.

 

HAZMAT teams have confirmed that there is no concern for public safety as a result of the ammonia leak.

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11:15 p.m. update

 

About a quarter of the people living in Bruce Mines have been evacuated from their homes at this point, reports Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Sargeant Michael Mayville.

 

"People in homes in a one kilometre radius around the arena were evacuated after ammonia was detected in the area," Mayville told SooToday. "OPP is on the scene for public safety. The Ministry of the Environment has also been called in." 

 

The arena is located at the juncture of Highways 638 and 17 and Highway 17 remains closed at this time.

 

At aproximately 8:20 p.m. Ontario Provincial Police recieved a call from the arena manager in Bruce Mines to report ammonia leaking from the stack at the arena.

 

Sault Ste. Marie Fire Services Hazmat Unit is currently en route to the town of Bruce Mines to determine the level and extent of contamination, and to assist in developing an emergency response plan for the community.

No injuries or illnesses have been reported.

SooToday will have more information on this developing situation as it becomes available. 

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Origninal release: 10:13 p.m.

Hwy 17 closed at Bruce Mines

East Algoma (Thessalon) Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police advise of the following Road Closure:

Highway:  Highway 17

Location:  Bruce Mines

Brief Description of Event:  Closed for public saftey as a result of an ammonia leak at the Bruce Mines Community Arena

Detour (if available):  Small passenger vehicles only

Estimated duration of Road Advisory: Unknown at this time

The O.P.P. will distribute details and updates of the road advisory as information becomes available.

Please do not call O.P.P. Provincial Communication Centres for road advisory updates or road condition information.

Visit the Ontario Ministry of Transportation website at ontario.ca/511, twitter @511Ontario  or call 511 traveller's information such as winter road conditions, construction reports, road closures, traffic reports, traffic cameras and interactive mapping.