'What's going on?': Saint John residents demand answers in wake of Irving Oil butane leak

Some east Saint John residents are demanding answers after learning butane from a leak that forced the evacuation of their neighbourhoodwas still being detected nine days after they were allowed to go home.

"My concern right now is, it is still going on?" said Abbie Tays, who lives onPleasant City Street, dubbed "Butane Lane" since the Jan. 8 leak at Irving Oil's nearby Saint John East terminal.

"Why isIrving Oil and [the New Brunswick Department of Environment] not keeping residents inthe area informed?"

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Tayswas reacting to a consultant's report obtained byCBCNews last Friday, which found"some levels" of butane remainedin certainmanholes and catch basins in close proximity to the ruptured pipelineup until Jan. 22.

Butane is a colourless, highly flammable liquefied gas that quickly vaporizes at room temperature.If inhaled, the gascancause nausea, asphyxia and arrhythmia.

We want to know what's going on.- AbbieTays, resident

The butane readings are not indicated in the remedial action report, preparedby Dillon Consulting Limited and submitted to the Department ofEnvironment, but it notes some homes are within 10 metres of pipelinethat runs from the Bayside Drive terminal to the refinery.

All 84 people who were forced from their homes after the leak was discovered were given the all-clear to return byJan. 13.

"I don't feel safe in my home," said Tays, adding the neighbours she has spoken to feel the same.

"This report [dated Jan. 31] is over a month old. What has [been] and is happening since? We want to know what's going on."

Irving Oil has not responded to repeated requests by CBCNews for comment.

The Department of Environment has said it will not provide comment because it's still reviewing the consultant's report, which proposesair and soil testing as remediation.

Tory MLA awaits response

Saint John East Progressive Conservative MLA Glen Savoiesaid he'strying to get answers for Tays and other constituents.

He said he contacted the department mid-last week to ask what the butane levels were, whether it's still being detected and if it poses any risks.

"The safety of the residents is first and foremost," said Savoie.

"We have to make sure that everything is where it's supposed to be in terms of readings and if not then we have to understand why not and make immediate moves to remediate the situation."

Savie said he isawaiting a response from the department before determining next steps.

Testing is expected to continue until August, according to the report.

The total amount of liquid butane released from the above-ground four-inch-diameter pipeline had still not been determined at the time of the report.

The cause of the line break hadn't been determined either, although a preliminary report suggested it was due to extreme cold weather.

The report does not contain any information about when the leak started.

Some residents who live near the terminaltoldCBCNews they detected an odour for about three days before the leak was discovered on Jan. 8 during a routine inspection.

The pipeline holds an estimated 108 barrels, Irving Oil vice-president and chief operating officer Mark Sherman said at the time.Each barrel holds about 159 litres, for a total of more than 17,000 litres.

Homes on PleasantCity Street, River Avenue, Spruce Avenue, First Street East and Second Street East were evacuated,the Saint JohnSPCAAnimal Rescueshelter was closed and traffic was rerouted around a blocked section of Bayside Drive as emergency responderspurgedthe lineandtested for residual vapours.