Toxic Vapor Cloud at Fertilizer Plant Draws HAZMAT Response

A chemical reaction led to the release of an orange-colored toxic vapor cloud at an industrial fertilizer plant in Toronto, ON Wednesday afternoon, creating a level 3 HAZMAT situation, according to the local fire department.

Sections of a roadway near the plant were shut down after crews were sent to the facility at about 10:50 a.m., Global Newsreported. Images captured at the scene show a large volume of orange-hued smoke coming from the facility.

No reports included information on the operator of the facility.

“A chemical reaction occurred that resulted in the release of an unknown vapour cloud into the atmosphere,” Toronto Fire tweeted at 11:20 a.m. Some buildings near the plant were evacuated as a precaution.

Toronto Police Operations said fertilizer plant were evacuated safely and urged people to avoid the area of the plant due to the vapor.

A fire official told CBC that the toxic vapor cloud will dissipate in the air.