A truck delivering diesel in Fernie has leaked at least 100 litres of diesel into the Annex pond in Fernie.

Shawn Ivany, Fernie Fire Chief, said the Ministry of Environment and Environment Canada are currently at the scene attempting to clean up the spill, and prevent it from reaching the river.

He said the spill happened at around 2 p.m. yesterday, and it is thought a tanker was delivering diesel to the Fernie Cardlock when the leak happened.

A woman walking her dog in the area noticed the diesel on the pond and called Fernie Fire Rescue.

“There was a diesel spill that got into the storm drains and rain flushed it into the Annex pond,” said Ivany.

“We believe it came from a tanker making a delivery to the Cardlock.

“We put down booms on the water to prevent it spreading into the water, and we put down sand to try to stop it getting into the river but we don’t know if any would have got in.

“We contacted the Ministry of Environment in Cranbrook and Environment Canada and they determined that a clean up was necessary so a clean up contractor is on site right now.”

The contractor is attempting to flush the strom drains and skim the diesel off the surface of the water.

Ivany said they do not know how much diesel was spilt but they know it was at least 110 litres.

“The Ministry of Environment will be handling an investigation into what happened,” he said. “The company delivering the diesel did not report any spill.”

Source: By Angela Treharne – The Free Press