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ShareHuge tank explodes at Elk Falls mill
By Paul Rudan - Campbell River Mirror
Published: October 07, 2008 5:00 PM
No one was hurt when a six-storey tank exploded on Friday morning at the Catalyst Elk Falls kraft mill.
“We were very thankful there were no injuries,” said Lyn Brown, a company vice-president, based in Vancouver.
According to Brown, the condensate tank sits in the basement of the kraft mill and stands between 6-7 storeys high. Steam and other kraft-making chemicals run through the tank.
At around 10:10 a.m., there was an explosion in the tank which caused damage to the building’s siding as well as to the piping system leading to and from the tank.
As a result, the kraft mill has been closed while investigators determine the cause of the blast and clean-up crews go to work.
“The area around the building has been barricaded to non-essential personnel,” said Brown, who added that the tank is a major component of the kraft-making process.
The Campbell River Fire Department’s “Hazmat” team was put on standby, but had little to do with the emergency.
“The mill’s staff handled it. We weren’t needed,” said Fire Chief Larry Samson.
Brown said it’s too early to say if the kraft mill will ever be reopened. Earlier this year Catalyst announced it will close the Elk Falls kraft mill on Nov. 30, due to high production and labour costs, and the loss of its sawdust supply – caused by the closure of the adjacent TimberWest sawmill in May.
Catalyst also blamed the closure on “uncompetitive industry taxes” imposed by the city. The closure of the kraft mill will result in the loss of approximately 440 jobs.
