Environmental Disaster Close to Home

A river of crude oil came from a ruptured pipeline here in Burnaby just a few hours ago, and the oil is flowing into the Burrard Inlet. (I live in Burnaby a few miles away from where it occurred.)

CanWest News Service
Published: Tuesday, July 24, 2007

BURNABY, B.C. — A ruptured pipeline under a Burnaby highway sent thousands of litres of oil into Vancouver’s Burrard Inlet Tuesday afternoon.

Several eyewitnesses reported seeing the oil spray some 20 metres into the air, then flow as a "river" of oil pouring down into the ocean inlet that separates Vancouver and its suburbs from North Vancouver.

At least one home appeared to be covered in crude oil.

The oil was gushing for nearly half an hour before crews were able to stop the flow.

Already there are predictions of a significant environmental disaster.

I'll have to see if they're going to need cleanup volunteers.