‘You could see cylinders flying up in the air’
Explosions rock Nisku industrial area as outdoor blaze consumes chemicals
Pressurized containers and chemical products fuelled a massive outdoor fire in a Nisku industrial area Wednesday night.
A crew of more than 40 firefighters from Nisku, Calmar, Leduc and the Edmonton International Airport responded to the fire in the area of 9 Street and 15 Avenue around 10 p.m., Leduc County Fire Services said in a news release Thursday morning.
The fire is currently under control, but crews will remain on scene Thursday to control minor flares.
There have been no injuries reported at this time, deputy fire chief Tylor Bennett said in the release.
Brian Curry was working in a shop a few blocks away when he heard loud pops like fireworks.
“I saw all the smoke and red glow in the skyline so I jumped in the truck and drove down there,” he said.
Fire crews were battling the blaze when Curry arrived on scene around the Recycle Systems Company, which recycles aerosols and compressed gas products.
Curry said the explosions were so loud it sounded like constant gun shots.
“You could see cylinders flying up in the air,” he added.
“The black smoke was getting pretty thick.”
Curry only stayed in the immediate area for a few minutes, but said he could still hear quieter explosions around 1:30 a.m. from his shop.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, the news release said.
The area around 9 Street between 15 and 16 Avenues will be closed until the investigation is complete.