Fire at Burns Lake wood pellet plant causes three injuries

VANCOUVER (Scrap Monster): Three workers were seriously injured in an explosion that took place in a Burns Lake. The blast occurred at around 8 AM Thursday at the wood pellet plant owned by Pinnacle Renewable Energy Group.

According to reports, the fire that originated inside equipment used to dry fibre was quickly contained, preventing further damage. Nearly 30 employees were at the site during the incident. Three workers who suffered serious injuries were taken to the nearby hospital. The exact cause of the fire is still unknown. WorkSafeBC will conduct an investigation into the incident. Furthermore, the company has decided to conduct an investigation on its own.

Earlier during the month of June this year, WorkSafeBC had carried out an inspection of the plant on combustible dust issues. The inspection report suggested that the plant has been successful in managing such issues. No orders were issued, clarified WorkSafeBC spokesperson.

Pinnacle Renewable Energy Group, a private company founded by the Swaan family of Quesnel, has been in operation for over twenty years and is the longest established pellet producer in Western Canada. The company operates six pellet plants across BC with annual production capacity well over 1 million tons.