Prince George, B.C. - Investigators have yet to determine the cause and  cost of an  explosion at the Pacific BioEnergy pellet plant on Friday.

 

No one was injured in the incident that had Prince George fire and Rescue Crews  called  around 6:15 Friday night.

 

Work also continues to determine the extent of the damage that occurred as a result of the explosion.   Several pieces of equipment,  including the bag-house and walls covering the pellet plant were damaged in the incident.   

 

The plant was shut down immediately following the explosion and Prince George Fire and Rescue was contacted.   Fire crews responded quickly and extinguished a number of fires that started as a result of the blast.   Emergency crews remained at the plant for about three hours to ensure the site was safe. PBEC crews began clean-up operations immediately following clearance from Prince George Fire and Rescue.   Clean-up operations continued through the weekend. 

 

PBEC has been expanding its Prince George plant this year. When fully operational it will be the largest wood pellet manufacturing plant in Canada. Included in the expansion project is installation of the latest state-of-the-art fire detection and emergency equipment and monitoring systems. PBEC experienced an explosion at its Prince George plant in March 2008 that resulted in major damage to several areas in the mill.   Fire crews were also called to the plant in August 2009 to assist PBEC staff to extinguish multiple fires that occurred at the plant.