A fire at the Veterinary Infectious Disease Organization lab on the
University of Saskatchewan campus July 12 resulted in burns for two
staff members and minor damage to the facility.
A scientist and a technician working in a research lab suffered first
and second degree burns after a minor explosion occurred.
Andy Potter, director of research for VIDO, said the accident, while
serious to those involved, would require some cleanup but no major
building repairs are necessary.
“We’ll have to wait and see what happens with fire department and
occupational health and safety investigations. Right now the folks
involved are being treated at the university hospital,” he said last
week.
Ethanol is suspected as the cause of the fire but university officials
said it was too early to know the circumstances of the accident.
University spokesperson Cindy Paquette said the research team members
would be missed while they are recovering, but the projects they were
working on will continue.
