The city will investigate the reasons behind two recent coolant leaks at Tyler’s No Frills on Johnston Road.
Coun. Cindy Solda expressed concern over the health effects of leaked coolant.
“I would like to know how dangerous it is for our community,” she said.
The first coolant leak occurred at 3:42 p.m. on Aug. 26 and the second on Sept. 6 at 3:47 p.m. The Port Alberni Fire Department responded to both leaks and evacuated the store. The leaks likely happened due to a mechanical failure in the store’s refrigeration compression system, said fire Chief Tim Pley. In both cases, the PAFD contained the leak and handed control of the store back to No Frill’s staff within a few hours, with the store opening the following morning.
However, the second leak caused such a high concentration of coolant that the firefighters had trouble getting inside, leading to BC Hydro having to cut power to the building.
City manager Ken Watson told council that a report would be drawn up. Calls to No Frills’ corporate office were not returned.
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