What’s left of Speedway International on Nicolas Avenue after a fire on Monday, October 1, 2012. (STAN MILOSEVIC / CHRISD.CA)
The biodiesel plant at the centre of Monday’s massive industrial fire in St. Boniface has released its first statement since the blaze.
In an e-mail late Wednesday, Speedway International said it is “committed to providing safe working conditions for our employees, has passed all safety inspection and has been operating in the industrial zone of St. Boniface without incident since 1998.”
Nearby residents living in the vicinity of the fire have questioned the safety of the conditions in which the hazardous chemicals are stored.
The company goes on to say, “Speedway International is registered and 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.”
“Speedway International does not store petroleum products in its buildings or storage tanks as has been misreported. Speedway International does store biodiesel which is produced from canola oil. However, no rail cars containing biodiesel or methanol product were affected by the fire.”
No one was injured in the Nicolas Avenue fire, including any employees at the plant. Damage is estimated at $15 million.
