Calgary Fire Crews respond to Large Area Hazardous Material Incident in the SE

At approximately 5 o'clock this morning, Calgary Fire crews responded to reports of a large area hazardous material incident at the South Costco on Heritage Gate SE. On arrival, Fire crews discovered that a mechanical failure of a refrigeration unit led to the release of a large volume of Freon into the 140,000 ft.² warehouse.  Calgary Fire Departments Hazardous Materials crews are coordinating the ventilation of the warehouse in preparation for reoccupation later this afternoon.  Calgary Fire crews will remain on scene until the building can be reoccupied. Freon is a colourless heavier than air gas with a faint sweetish odour and is considered a respiratory irritant. There is no danger to the public in the surrounding area. There were no injuries reported at this incident, further updates will be forthcoming.

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