Anxious moments as fire erupts at industrial site
Explosion-like reactions occur as gas tanks vent during blaze
On Monday soon after 4 p.m., emergency services received a call to attend a blaze on the 300 block of Sherwood Road, an industrial area north of Regina.
The fire started at Mod Space, a supplier of portable storage units and mobile offices. At the scene, gas tanks were heard venting, and thick smoke and large ash flakes filled the air.
Neil Fairbairn, manager of Mod Space, said he was in his office when he noticed the fire.
“I was just doing my paperwork and I looked out the window and all of a sudden my loading dock was on fire,” said Fairbairn.
As soon as he saw the fire, he called 911 and left the area. He said there was no one else on site.
He said there were six 300-pound propane tanks located in the yard, four of which vented during the fire, causing an explosion-like reaction where flames shot up into the air and a loud boom was heard.
According to Fairbairn, the tanks are designed that way in case of a fire.
Fairbairn said crews were able to prevent the last two tanks from venting.
RCMP set up a barricade to ensure members of the public were kept at a safe distance, as workers from nearby buildings watched in awe.
According to fire marshal Randy Ryba, fire crews had trouble with a nearby fire hydrant.
“There was one hydrant that appeared to be out of service. We did manage to open the next two up down the line and we do have adequate flow,” said Ryba.
Ryba said it can happen that a hydrant is out of service. He isn’t sure what happened in this case, but said that is why there are multiple hydrants placed 500 feet apart.
The cause of the fire is still unknown, but Ryba said if an investigation is conducted, it will be done by the Office of the Fire Commissioner, because the fire happened outside the City of Regina in the RM of Sherwood.
Fairbairn said the popping that could be heard at the scene can be attributed to aerosol cans the company keeps in a fireproof safe. Neither Fairbairn nor Ryba knew what the extent of the damage was, but Fairbairn expected to be in for a long night until the fire was fully extinguished.
As of approximately 5:20 p.m., Ryba said the fire wasn’t quite under control, but crews were making good progress.
“Pretty scary stuff, but I think they got it under control now or close to it,” said Fairbairn.
There were no injuries reported in the fire.