Sirens blare, one person hospitalized after Suncor Edmonton refinery fire
Posted March 30, 2022 11:35 am.
Last Updated March 30, 2022 7:05 pm.
Some residents in Strathcona County were abruptly woken up early Wednesday morning by what they described as an air raid siren.
The siren was issued by Suncor after a fire was ignited around 6:40 a.m. at the company’s Edmonton refinery near Sherwood Park.
Suncor confirmed to CityNews one person was taken to hospital with an injury related to the incident.
Update: Suncor has confirmed there was a fire at the Edmonton Refinery at approximately 6:40am. The fire has since been put out, however one injury has been reported, and they have been taken to hospital.
There will be an investigation on the cause of the fire. @CityNewsYEG pic.twitter.com/pkrAxScfjN
— Laura Krause (@LauraKrauseNews) March 30, 2022
“Our first priority is to ensure the individual receives proper care,” said a Suncor spokesperson via email. “Out of respect for the individual and their privacy, we are not releasing any personal information.”
Suncor says it initiated a response plan and evacuated the area. The fire has since been extinguished.
Anyone else in Sherwood Park hear “tornado sirens” this morning?! It was so loud so it couldn’t be just me that heard them. Any idea what it was for? #shpk #sherwoodpark #strathconacounty @ShPk_News
— Rachelle (@its__Rachelle) March 30, 2022
@NRCAER sirens heard in Woodbridge Farms in Sherwood Park this morning and no message on the update line. What’s up? #strathconacounty #shpk
— Jenny Rolph (@jennyi44) March 30, 2022
The company says it is working closely with local authorities and regulatory agencies to determine the cause of the fire. An investigation will be conducted.
Strathcona County took to Twitter around 8 a.m. to assure residents there was no threat to public safety.
Strathcona County has confirmed the siren was issued by Suncor at their worksite. There is no threat to public safety. #strathco #shpk https://t.co/B05WZbRozL
— Strathcona County (@StrathcoCounty) March 30, 2022
It’s unclear if the fire was somehow related to planned maintenance of some process units at the Edmonton refinery.
Suncor had warned the scheduled maintenance could lead to “increased flaring and noise levels” and “brief intermittent periods of increased odours.”
