Another day, another fire in the greater Trois-Rivières region. A fire at the Canadoil factory, located in the Bécancour industrial park, forced the evacuation of employees on Friday morning.
“When we came to try to extinguish it with fire extinguishers, it spread,” said Kathy Durand, Director of Operations and Quality at Canadoil Forge.
An ambulance was on site to ensure the safety of employees, but all managed to evacuate safely. Some were affected by the smoke.
“The ambulance is there, it gave oxygen to the people who were affected. But most of our employees left by car,” continued Durand.
“Those who had effects, like their car keys that stayed inside, are here. For the rest, they’ve all left.”
The building sustained significant structural damage, especially to the ceiling. The new Bécancour City ladder truck was used in the fight against the fire.
Canadoil is a manufacturer of custom piping and heavy steel. This is another major fire to hit the regions of Mauricie and Centre-du-Québec in a few weeks, after the one that resulted in a death in a residential building in Cap-de-la-Madeleine on Thursday, the one that damaged three buildings in Shawinigan earlier in the week and the one that ravaged an old church in Trois-Rivières two weeks ago.
Firefighters Gain Control of the Blaze
Although flames were still escaping the building, Durand confirmed that they were more intense at the beginning of the fire.
“They’re in control there. They’ve brought out the hose, and now they’re putting it out from inside.”
A Hundred Employees
Around a hundred employees work at the factory. When Le Nouvelliste visited the scene around 11 a.m., the fire appeared to be escaping from three locations. “It’s not reassuring,” admitted the Director of Operations.
A String of Fires
The recent string of fires in the region has raised concerns about safety and the need for proactive measures to prevent future incidents.
The fire at Canadoil Forge serves as a stark reminder of the importance of fire safety protocols and the potential consequences of neglecting safety measures. Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire at Canadoil Forge and are committed to ensuring the safety of residents and businesses in the region.
A Call to Action
These incidents highlight the need for a comprehensive approach to fire safety, including public awareness campaigns, building inspections, and the availability of adequate fire-fighting resources.
It’s crucial that all stakeholders work together to ensure the safety and well-being of the communities in the greater Trois-Rivières region and beyond.
