One person has been seriously injured, while another was taken to hospital with a medical complaint, after a large explosion and industrial fire in the north end of St. Catharines, Ontario, Thursday morning.
Police said emergency crews were called to the Ssonix Products facility at 20 Keefer Rd. shortly after 6:30 a.m. The company’s website said its line of business includes the production of gasoline, kerosene, distillate fuel oils, residual fuel oils and lubricants.
Karen Lutz-Graul, deputy chief of operations for Niagara Emergency Medical Services, told CBC Hamilton that one person with life-threatening injuries was transported to a local hospital.
A second person “with a serious complaint” was also taken to the hospital, Lutz-Graul said. That individual did not suffer any physical injuries.
Shortly after the explosion, police tweeted: “Officers [are] evacuating nearby homes and businesses.”
They said residents should “stay at home, out of the smoke.”
“A huge orange glow in the sky,” says an eyewitness
Carol Green, a resident of the area, says her husband was walking their dogs when they “heard a loud bang followed by a big orange glow in the sky”.
Green said this was “followed by more explosions”.
“I was at home,” he said, about four kilometers from the explosion. “[And] the whole house shook.”
—@DoodleNessa
Roads in the area have been closed and police say motorists should avoid the area.
Residents were told to shelter in place
The fire services of St. Catharines says people living in the area outside of the Blossom, Parkside or Moes subdivision should shelter in place.
“Close windows and doors and turn off the oven to prevent air from entering,” says a tweet from the service, which adds that the Ministry of the Environment will monitor the air in the area.
In addition, the fire services of St. Catharines say the Ministry of the Environment, the Office of the Fire Marshal, the Safety and Technical Standards Authority and a hazardous materials remediation team have been contacted and will attend the fire.
If you live in the area outside the Blossom/Parkside/Moes subdivision, please shelter in place – close windows and doors and turn off the furnace to prevent air from entering. The MOE will monitor the air in the area. Check for updates with @STCFireServices
—@STCFireServices
Meanwhile, Niagara Student Transportation Services (NSTS) is advising people to expect delays and cancellations.
“As a result of the industrial fire on Keefer Road in St. Catharines, there will be some significant delays and route cancellations this morning,” NSTS said on its website.