A fire has destroyed Manitoba’s largest biodiesel plant.
The Oct. 1 blaze at the Speedway International facility in St. Boniface caused an estimated $15 million of damage.
It was one of the largest fires that the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service has attended. It took 61 firefighters to control the blaze and 20 police cars to assist with traffic control.
A spokesperson for the fire department was unavailable for comment.
According to newspaper reports, the fire became an inferno when a tanker full of fuel exploded, resulting in a fireball that shot almost one kilometre into the air.
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That prompted the fire department to establish a safety perimeter of one kilometre, evacuating 100 residences and businesses.
Speedway was the location where the province of Manitoba announced its two percent biodiesel mandate on Nov. 2, 2009.
The provincial mandate requires about 20 million litres of biodiesel annually, which was the capacity of the Speedway plant before it burned to the ground.
According to the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association, the province has two other biodiesel plants, which combined have the ability to produce eight million litres of the alternative fuel.
Speedway issued a statement saying that it has complied with all safety standards and codes and is permitted to import and export fuel.
“We have all required permits and licences and meet all codes set by Natural Resources Canada and Environment Canada,” said the biodiesel firm.
The company said that it stores canola biodiesel at its plant but said that no rail cars containing biodiesel or methanol were affected by the fire.
Speedway said its employees are going through a devastating time as the company attempts to rebuild the family business.
“We are thankful that no one was hurt and thank everyone for listening to emergency services and staying clear of the area as firefighters fought the blaze.”
- Manitoba has three commercial biodiesel producers: Speedway International (St. Boniface), Bifrost Bio-blends (Arborg) and Eastman Biofuels (Beausejour).
- On Nov. 1, 2009, Manitoba became the first province to require two percent biodiesel in all diesel fuel sold. This mandate reduced Manitoba’s greenhouse gas emissions by 65,000 tonnes per year.
