Update: Hazmat clears the air

With video by Kelly Hayes and Jenifer Zielinski

Update: The Kelowna RCMP has re-opened a section of Dilworth Drive, Leckie Rd and Enterprise Way that were all closed after a chemical spill at Sunvalley Processed Foods on Leckie Place Thursday afternoon.

The Kelowna Hazmat team says the air has cleared and businesses downwind are now being allowed to re-open. 

Hazmat was called to the scene shortly after 3:00 p.m. Thursday afternoon.

Photo: Jennifer Zielinski

Kelowna Hazmat responds to the scene of a chemical spill Thursday afternoon.

"In back of one of the factories there was a possible chemical spill, or chemical interaction at one of the plants," says RCMP Sgt. Swecera.

It is reported that 36 people have been affected by the spill. 

A Kelowna Transit bus was brought in to transport those affected, but so far, emergency officials were treating them at the scene.

Workers at Sun Valley Processed Foods say they began to feel faint after the incident began.

"Some of those fumes are causing some people some irritation," says Swercera.

As a safety precaution, the evacuation was extended to a number of other businesses between Leckie and Dilworth. 

The fire department had to first ventilate the building before they could enter and deal with the spill, and there was concern raised for those who were downwind of the incident.

Kelowna RCMP originally closed Leckie Place at Dilworth Drive, but soon expanded the closure to include Enterprise between Dilworth and Leckie to keep the public well back.