Chemical leak closes Garfield Street

Garfield Street in Charlottetown was closed down Monday morning after a chemical leaked in the parking lot of alocal business.

The hazmat team was dispatched at about 10 a.m. when the Charlottetown Fire Department received the call.

The leak was from a delivery truck in the parking lot of Atlantic Warehousing at 5 Garfield Street, said Charlottetown Fire Chief Randy MacDonald. The building and the surrounding area, within 45 metres, were evacuated.

MacDonald said 2.5 gallons about 9.5 litres of hydrochloric acid leaked from the truck and onto the ground. Crews covered the acid with earth, which MacDonald said is normal procedure to neutralize the substance.

The cause of the leak is still unknown, he said.

Garfield Street from Walker Drive to Strawberry Lane was closed, but has since been reopened.

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