Potentially explosive compound in HSC lab forces evacuation
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 11/03/2019 (2468 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
A section of Winnipeg’s Health Sciences Centre was evacuated Monday after staff found picric acid — a dangerous and explosive organic compound — uncontained in the pathology lab.
“Safety staff from Shared Health, as well as HSC’s fire marshal and security, immediately secured the area. Staff working in the immediate area was temporarily evacuated as a safety precaution,” a Winnipeg Regional Health Authority spokesperson said in a written statement.
The Winnipeg Fire and Paramedic Service hazardous materials unit was deployed to the scene. Winnipeg Police Service officers safely removed the substance without incident.
Health Minister Cameron Friesen addressed the incident as it was unfolding Monday. He said he was unable to identify the substance found — which at that point was still unknown.
“This is just coming across my desk now. The most recent information that I have is a substance was discovered this afternoon at HSC. At this point in time, we know that emergency services are responding,” Friesen said.
“We are going to give emergency services the time, first, to do what they need to do. I understand that precautions have been taken, that there has been an evacuation of an immediate area.”
The lab was able to resume regular operation by Monday afternoon.
“At no point was there risk to adjacent areas or the broader hospital campus,” the WRHA spokesperson said.