Update: Pipeline Rapture Forcing Evacuation of B.C. Neighbourhood

Reports are coming in on a major oil spill in a residential area of Burnaby, B.C. Derek Corrigan, mayor of Burnaby, has stated that construction crews at Barnett Highway and Hastings Street broke through a pipe line.

It is reported that oil is going up through the break like a geyser. The spilled size appears to be extensive. Homes west of Inlet Drive, along Ridge, Belcarra and Malibu drives and North Cliff Crescent have begun being evacuated. Rescue squads have arrived. updated According to CTV News the accident occurred when a pipeline running under the highway was accidentally ruptured.

"We had a vehicle hit an oil head," Cpl. Jane Baptista, of the Burnaby RCMP, told The Canadian Press on Tuesday.

"There was some oil spilled over the road. We have hazmat (hazardous materials) and Burnaby Fire Department on scene. Police have assisted with some evacuation of some residents there."

The oil gushed for about 25 minutes before crews stopped the flow. The geyser of oil was about 30 metres tall. the tree tops have a layer of oil on them. Initial evacuations plans have been called off. The oil is on a downhill path to the ocean at Burrard Inlet. According to reports from CBC News helicopter camera images show that the oil is already in the inlet spreading out. Clean up crews are headed for the area. There are now fears of a major environmental problem as the oil covers the inlet. Canadian Geese have been filmed along the shoreline beside the oil-contaminated seawater.

Burnaby resident Kathleen Dean told CP that "all I can see is fire trucks, police cars, environmental people, lots of different authorities from all over the place are down there."