Fire crews, police, paramedics and a hazmat team were on scene at a downtown Victoria construction site earlier Thursday afternoon.
According to Victoria police, the incident took place at a construction site in the 800-block of Johnson Street. Traffic was blocked off around the area.
Officers are assisting Fire & @BC_EHS responding to an ongoing incident in a building in the 1400-block of Quadra, at Johnson. #yyjtraffic will be impacted. Pls avoid the area. Updates to come. #yyj
— Victoria Police (@vicpdcanada) November 5, 2020
Emergency crews were called to the scene around 12:30 p.m. after several construction workers started complaining of a burning sensation in their nose and throat.
After an initial check, police and fire crews said their equipment did not show signs of a gasleak, which ultimately led to the hazmat team being called in – a team that utilizes more sensitive equipment.
According to authorities, the hazmat equipment was still unable to find any dangerous reading. This led to the fans being turned back on in the facility and authorities gave the all-clear.
Just after 2:30 p.m. PST, construction workers had resumed work and traffic was being opened back up around the area.
Authorities noted that the workers who had initially complained about symptoms started to feel better once they got out in the fresh air.
The BC Ambulance Service was also on scene to make sure everyone was okay as the incident was unfolding.
There is still no word as to what may have caused the issue.
Fire crews on scene on Quadra Street on Nov. 5, 2020.
Fire crews on scene on Quadra Street on Nov. 5, 2020.
Fire crews on scene on Quadra Street on Nov. 5, 2020.
A CRD hazmat team on scene on Quadra Street on Nov. 5, 2020.
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