Fighting a refinery fire isn’t an easy one, due to burning fuel, and black smoke.
Dieppe Fire Chief Conrad Landry says he isn’t an expert in the oil refinery, but if you look at any fire involving any dangerous products, it is always safety first.
“We want to make sure that no one goes in. We would set up a perimeter, close roads of evacuate if needed. In the case in Saint John, residents were asked to “shelter in Place’ which means to stay home and close any doors or windows to prevent fumes. The priority is definitely to make sure there is no further explosion and that there are no further potential problems in the air or for area residents.”
Landry says black smoke is never good, whether it is coming from an oil refinery or a house fire.
He adds that they also would work closely with experts on scene for the best methods of stabilization, depending on what dangerous materials they are dealing with.
Landry says firefighters appeared to get things under control, and no air quality advisories had to be put into place.
As many as 3-thousand workers were on site when a malfunctioning diesel treating unit caused an explosion and fire shortly after 10 a-m.
About five workers — mainly contract employees working during the annual turnaround — were treated in hospital for minor injuries.
