Gas leaking after truck crash in Port Moody not ammonia, police say

B.C. 'ammonia' leak was carbon dioxide A gas leak that shut down a major road and triggered evacuations was not toxic ammonia as first suspected.

There were tense moments for first responders in Port Moody on Christmas Eve, after a commercial truck crashed and began leaking gas.

The Port Moody Police Department said the vehicle crashed near Clarke Road and St. Johns Street around 10:40 a.m. Tuesday, triggering a major emergency response – in part because crews feared the truck was leaking ammonia.

"It also took down power lines with it, so it created a very hazardous situation for the public," said Const. Sam Zacharias.

The incident forced the closure of Clarke Road in both directions, for drivers and pedestrians, for hours. Authorities ultimately determined the gas was carbon dioxide, and said it did not pose a risk to the public.

While the truck flipped onto its side during the crash, Zacharias said no one was injured during the incident, including the driver.

The cause of the collision has not been confirmed.