Evacuation order lifted

At approximately 2:20 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan.22, 911 received a call from the Bedford Institute of Oceanography (BIO) about a chemical spill in the BIO building.

When members of Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency initially responded, they found a 250 ml container of picric acid that was dry. In a dry state, this chemical is highly explosive.

Due to the quantity and state of the chemical, the recommended evacuation area was established and this included a portion of the MacKay Bridge.

Given the nature of the chemical, the Explosive Disposal Unit of Halifax Regional Police was deployed and the chemical was safely removed from the building and the property.

At approximately 6 p.m. the situation was resolved, the evacuation order lifted and the MacKay Bridge was reopened.