Three-kilometre evacuation ordered during emergency response
Two workers were injured in a fire at a Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. gas plant in southern Alberta, prompting a three-kilometre evacuation around the facility.
The fire broke out on October 2 at CNRL’s Hussar gas plant near Standard, about 85 kilometres east of Calgary. Wheatland County Fire Services responded at about 5:30 a.m.
A man in his 70s was transported by STARS air ambulance to Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary in critical, life-threatening condition. CNRL said a second worker was assessed by medical personnel at the site and released.
Evacuation extended beyond the plant
Wheatland County initially ordered the evacuation of properties within a three-kilometre radius of the plant as emergency crews responded.
The evacuation area was later reduced as the situation was brought under control, and CNRL said the fire had been fully extinguished by approximately 3:30 p.m.
“Canadian Natural personnel, along with local emergency response resources, actively managed the incident and the fire has been safely extinguished. All regulatory bodies were notified of the incident. There is no safety threat to the public or the environment,” a CNRL spokesperson said.
The evacuation meant the response extended beyond the plant itself, with local authorities involved in managing the surrounding area while crews worked to contain the fire.
CNRL’s published emergency management information says people near its operations may be told to shelter in place or evacuate if an incident could affect their safety. The company also says it works with local authorities when an emergency has the potential to affect the public.
The cause of the fire has not been publicly identified. Authorities have also not released further details on how the workers were injured or what happened immediately before the incident.
CNRL said all regulatory bodies had been notified, but no public findings on the cause had been released as of October 6.
