Hazmat crews at NB Southern Railway dealing with 'strange substance'
Six people remain in lockdown at the NB Southern Railway yard in Saint John Wednesday evening as hazardous materials crews deal with an unknown powdery substance.
The scene, off of Gifford Road, is currently locked down and the six people, who came into contact with the substance, are in isolation and being monitored as a precaution, said Sgt. Lori Magee.
The "strange/unknown" substance was discovered during a routine examination of the contents of a container, said Magee.
It was a refrigerated transport container, J.D. Irving Limited spokesman Geoff Britt said in an emailed statement.
At 9:45 p.m., Britt said the Saint John Fire Department's hazmat unit had received more testing equipment to assess the substance.
He said the six people inside are in good shape.
"They are being well taken care of and are in good spirits and we appreciate their patience as we continue to exercise the proper precautionary diligence," he said.
The hazmat unit and other emergency personnel were called in shortly before 11 a.m., as a precautionary measure, said Britt.
They are still trying to determine "whether or not the powdery substance is any form of a hazardous material," he said.
Personnel are also trying to determine the origin of the substance.
The investigation continues.
There has been no impact to rail service and customer deliveries, Britt said.
