An industrial structure fire was recently extinguished in Quesnel with the aid of the Quesnel Volunteer Fire Department.
Emergency procedures were immediately activated at approximately 6 a.m. Sunday, June 19, after West Fraser employees observed smoke coming from a piece of processing equipment (dryer ducting) above the Quesnel River Pulp building.
The equipment is used for drying the pulp prior to it being baled, wrapped and transported, stated West Fraser corporate spokesperson Joyce Wagenaar.
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“It was tough to get at because it was so high up,” said fire chief Ron Richert, noting four pieces of apparatus and around 16 members responded.
The smoldering equipment was extinguished by 8:30 a.m.
According to Wagenaar, public and employee safety are West Fraser’s top priorities.
“Our operations have an excellent safety record as a result of our commitment to safe practices for those working in and around our site,” Wagenaar said, adding the cause of the fire will be investigated.
“Thank you to the firefighters who assisted us with this response.”
There were no injuries, and Richert said there was minimal damage.
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