Irving Oil is conducting a “thorough’’ investigation into a major propane leak Sunday near a densely populated area of Charlottetown.
“We need to understand the root cause,’’ said company spokesperson Carolyn Van der Veen.
“Until that investigation is complete, we would not make any assumptions.’’
Local officials have already cited a faulty hose as the cause for thousands of litres of propane to escape.
Nearby residents were evacuated from the area where an estimated 30,000 litres of the highly explosive gas was leaking.
Van der Veen says the results of an internal investigation will determine the company’s “steps forward’’.
She stressed Irving Oil always places a premium of safety, noting the company has been operating safely at the Allen Street location for more than 40 years.
Van der Veen says she is aware of Charlottetown Coun. Mitch Tweel’s longtime call to have the large propane tanks moved away from the heavily populated area.
She notes the area was “fairly isolated’’ when Irving Oil opened the propane outlet at the site.
“In the past for decades we’ve operated a safe facility,’’ said Van der Veen.
