CANADA – Fire at Saint John Irving Oil Refinery Put Out

A fire that sent thick black smoke into the sky from the Irving Oil Refinery in east Saint John on Monday morning has been safely extinguished.

The Saint John Fire Department responded shortly after 9 a.m. following reports of a product leak at the facility.

In a statement, the department confirmed that no injuries occurred and there is no risk to nearby residents.

Working alongside the refinery’s own emergency response team, firefighters managed to contain and put out the flames. “The situation is now under control,” the statement read.

Irving Oil also posted an update on Facebook, describing the fire as an “operational incident.” The company said the emergency alarm was activated, but the issue was quickly isolated and normal operations have resumed. “We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused,” the post read.

So far, Irving Oil has not answered requests for more details or an interview about the incident.

Local environmental advocate Gordon Dalzell, who lives in the area, said his wife heard what she believed to be the refinery’s alarm system around 9 a.m., followed by sirens from fire trucks.

Dalzell called the refinery directly and was told there had been a small fire but that everything was under control. “There was a small fire and everything is under control,” he said, quoting what he was told. “No other details were given.”

Dalzell said he felt relieved after hearing the situation had been handled. “The last place you want a fire is at an oil refinery,” he said. “It’s reassuring to know it was brought under control quickly, because sadly, we know there have been tragic refinery fires in the past.”

Photo credit: Roger Cosman/CBC. All rights reserved.