Eight people have been injured, some seriously, in an explosion at the Come By Chance refinery, according to RCMP and the company that runs the facility.
Witnesses say the explosion occurred shortly after 4pm on Friday and several ambulances were seen coming and going from the refinery until 5.30pm.
In a statement sent at 6.15pm, Braya Renewable Fuels confirmed that an incident had taken place and said the situation had been contained.
“We will do our best to support [the injured] and their families during this time,” the statement said. “Authorities have been notified and we will cooperate fully with their investigation.”
The injured workers were taken by ambulance to Clarenville, about a 30-minute drive away. Emergency crews blocked off a section of Manitoba Drive around 8 p.m., and a Cougar S92 helicopter landed at 8:30 p.m. Police say several helicopters will be used to transport victims to St. John’s.
“Clarenville RCMP are reporting temporary road closures on Manitoba Drive and the Sobeys parking lot in Clarenville as aircraft are brought in to transport injured people involved in the Come By Chance refinery explosion,” a statement said press release sent shortly after 21.00. “Motorists are asked to avoid the area and be patient.”
Pictured here is a Cougar landing in a Sobeys parking lot in Clarenville, preparing to take injured workers to St. John’s. (through pic.twitter.com/AbyWnRBpKY
—@ryancookeNL
Come By Chance Mayor Carol Molloy did not have information on how the explosion happened, but said the small town of about 200 people is doing its best to deal with the shock of the situation.
“Everybody pulls together,” he said. Certainly, as you can appreciate in a city this size, everyone knows everyone. Coming together and definitely being together and always being there to support each other is key.”
Refinery switching to renewables
Cresta Fund Management, a US private equity firm, bought a controlling stake in the refinery in 2021 with the aim of switching it to jet fuel and diesel production from used cooking oil , corn oil and animal fat.
The company has also renamed the plant, which operates as Braya Renewable Fuels.
CEO Frank Almaraz told CBC News last winter that the plan was to reopen the refinery in late summer or early fall, with a daily output of up to 18,000 barrels produced by 200 full-time workers. Preparation work was still underway on Friday when the explosion occurred.
Come By Chance Mayor Carol Molloy said she was not yet available to comment when contacted by CBC News on Friday. Fire Chief Duane Antle also could not be reached at press time.
The refinery was the site of an explosion in 1998 that killed two workers and injured another.
Politicians send support
Premier Andrew Furey took to Twitter on Friday evening to express his concern for workers and their families.
“I am very sorry to hear about the incident at the Come By Chance Refinery,” he wrote. “I have been speaking with company and union representatives to share our concern and best wishes for the injured workers, their families, friends and co-workers. Thank you to everyone responding to this incident.”
Seamus O’Regan, the federal Labor Minister, also posted on Twitter, saying: “We are all thinking of the injured workers at the Come By Chance refinery and their families.”
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