Officials at a meat packing plant in Edmonton that was destroyed by fire almost two months ago are planning to rebuild, but may use a new location, said the co-owner of the plant.
Dave Rae said the company is working with City of Edmonton officials to find a new location along the Fort Road, but it may also rebuild at the same north Edmonton location using a different plant configuration.
“It’s still our intention to rebuild,” said Rae.
The fire at the plant was a blow for bison producers across the Prairies. The federally inspected plant killed 60 to 70 percent of the bison in Alberta. It was the designated plant for animals older than 30 months of age. Bison younger than 30 months, destined for the American market, are slaughtered at the Bouvry plant near Fort Macleod, Alta.
Clean up of the Edmonton plant site continues. Investigators ruled the fire accidental but the cause is unknown. Investigators suspect an electrical origin or possibly a pin hole in a hydraulic hose that atomized fuel and caused an explosion.
