Gas leak at airport
Carbon monoxide forces evacuation of air traffic control tower
Crews from the St. John’s Regional Fire Department (SJRFD) and the St. John’s International Airport Fire Department responded to reports of a carbon monoxide leak at the airport’s Air Traffic Control Centre (NAV Canada Airport Operations Building) on Wednesday.
Carbon monoxide detector alarms signalled the leak and were still sounding when The Telegram arrived on the scene Wednesday morning.
The facility was evacuated and firefighters ventilated the tower with exhaust fans.
SJRFD crews wearing breathing masks entered and exited the building with various pieces of equipment.
“NAV Canada services were moved to its alternate location on Airport property within 15 minutes of evacuation, where it resumed its air traffic control operations,” a statement from the Airport Authority said. “The Airport Authority is continuing to work with NAV Canada to safely return to full operations. At this time, flight operations have not been disrupted as a result of this incident. However, flight delays may occur prior to NAV Canada returning to its primary Air Traffic Control Tower.”
SJRFD Platoon Chief Brian Tucker told reporters “the levels have now gone down by 50 per
cent.”
“Right now we’re in the process of ventilating the building to get the carbon monoxide readings down on each level,” Tucker told The Telegram. “And
so we’re systematically opening the doors to let fresh air into the building to reduce the readings.”
He said there were no injuries to anyone on site.
Just before noon, carbon
monoxide levels had decreased to the point that people were allowed back into the building.