Fire causes evacuation of Co-op Refinery Complex

REGINA An investigation is underway after fire erupted Monday from the Co-op Refinery Complex (CRC), sending flames and smoke skyward that were visible to workers at area businesses and passersby on the Ring Road nearby.

CRC spokesman Brad Delorey said the fire — which didn’t lead to injury — broke out at 11:41 a.m. in Section I of the refinery. That area is a gasoline production unit, he said.

Images captured by bystanders and posted to social media show heavy flame and thick black smoke coming from a tower-like structure at the scene.

Fire crews were still dousing it in water more than an hour later.

Workers were evacuated and the fire was contained and put out by the refinery’s own on-site fire department, the CRC reported.

All personnel were accounted for and were said to be safe.

Delorey said while Regina Fire & Protective Services can be called upon to help if needed — and were staging nearby just in case — the refinery’s own fire crews were able to handle the situation without the need for additional assistance.

The CRC said its safety systems “worked as intended” and that the evacuation happened as soon as someone noticed a problem and sounded the alarm.

“There was no threat to the public or to anyone in the community,” Delorey said.

The fire will be investigated to determine a cause and the CRC said it will provide an update once the investigation is concluded.

There was no immediate information on how bad the damage is or what repairs will be needed.