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Firefighters block traffic on Vancouver street due to major gas leak

The cleanup is expected to take hours and "has created a very slick atmosphere for pedestrians and vehicles." 
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Vancouver firefighters have closed a couple of blocks due to a significant diesel gas leak from a vehicle on May 12. The cleanup is expected to take hours. Photo: Scazon / Flickr

Vancouver firefighters have closed a couple of street blocks due to a significant diesel gas leak from a vehicle that was driving around the area. 

Vancouver Fire And Rescue Services Assistant Fire Chief Ken Gemmill told Vancouver Is Awesome that Ash Street from 8th to 7th Avenue is currently closed until further notice. However, he added that firefighters may section off a larger portion of the street upon further assessment.

When asked how long the area will be closed, Gemmil explained that it would probably be a few hours. "It is a lot of diesel," he said. 

"I would recommend that pedestrian and vehicle traffic avoid the Cambie to Ash area from 5th to Broadway because the vehicle that was leaking fluid kind of drove around the whole few blocks there," he added.

"It has created a very slick atmosphere for pedestrians and vehicles." 

City sand trucks and the Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services Hazardous Materials Response Team are on scene to assist in cleanup.