Fire officials said Tuesday that the blaze that destroyed a Winnipeg fiberglass plant did $15 million damage.
The massive fire at Omniglass at 1205 Sherwin Road broke out around midnight Sunday and burned throughout Monday. Fire crews were still pouring water on hotspots in the ruined, ice-encrusted factory Tuesday morning.
Four firefighters were hurt in an explosion inside the plant. Three were treated on scene and one taken to hospital and released shortly after. "(They suffered) mostly small injuries and bruises. They were blown clear of the building, said Platoon Chief Brian Sommers on Monday."
In a statement Tuesday, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service says the cause of the fire is still under investigation and no one can enter the crumbling building until it is deemed safe.
"A little shocked, it's not a good way to start the year," said Laurie Davies, president of Omniglass, on Monday. He could only watch helplessly from across the street of his fiberglass plant.
"I want to get in there but I can't," he said.
Just what sparked the fire is unknown, but Davies says the company took every effort to make sure all flammables were stored safely.
"It's all in fire rated rooms. All the resin all stored. (We have) upgraded fire, sprinkler systems and all that," he said.
"Everything is pretty much burnt off in there but it is highly explosive the chemicals they use so at this point, until they get the fire right out, we really don't know where the explosion came from," said Sommers.
The fire alarm sounded just after midnight, it's still smoldering. No other businesses appear to be damaged. Many in this industrial area were closed because of the holidays.
For much of the day crews could only attack the blaze from above. It wasn't safe to go inside.
Officials say the building is a complete right off but with clients everywhere from the United States to England, Omniglass is working on keeping the business going.
"We got to get up and running as soon as we can and find alternates. Maybe some other people like us can help us in the area to do the same process," Davies said.
It's unclear when the plants 65 workers will be back at their jobs.
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