Latest News

Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Raging inferno strikes plant

-- Explosion forces firefighters to retreat -- 65 employees thrown out of work

By: Gabrielle Giroday

Posted: 01/3/2012 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

Eight firefighters were forced to beat a hasty retreat after a blast tore through the north wall of Omniglass on Sherwin Road early Monday. One firefighter was treated in hospital for minor injuries. (KEN GIGLIOTTI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store

THE owner of Omniglass vowed Monday to reopen the production plant as soon as possible after a chemical-fuelled fire destroyed parts of the building, putting the future of 65 employees at risk.

Laurie Davies, who founded the fibreglass window and door manufacturer in 1983, said his property at 1205 Sherwin Rd. is insured.

"We’ve got to do whatever we can to get back in business as quickly as we can," said Davies.

"We’re going to try our best to continue the product supply," he added.

Damage is estimated at $15 million, Davies said. The cause remains under investigation.

Eight firefighters were forced to flee when a huge blast rocked the facility, which is near the Richardson International Airport, just after midnight Monday.

"They were very close to being killed," said Bill Clark, Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service assistant chief of operations. "That rattled everyone on the scene."

Clark described the explosion as a "huge concussion" that tore off parts of the roof and split the walls of the 60,000-square-foot plant.

"It blew the front off the building. It blew the overhead doors out where (firefighters) were standing, blew them out of the building, and they got banged up a bit," he said.

One firefighter had to be taken to hospital. He was released later Monday.

None of the workers was inside the building at the time.

Alex Forrest, United Fire Fighters of Winnipeg president, said the blaze was very dangerous.

"The reason it’s so dangerous is that any time you enter into a residence it’s dangerous enough, but when you go to a business it just kicks it up a notch, because businesses have toxic chemicals.

They have other aspects that when you mix it with fire cause explosions," said Forrest, who said the blaze meant the firefighters felt "they were very lucky to get out of there alive."

"It’s just one of those things that every time you go into a fire… especially in a business, you don’t know what’s on other side."

Chad Swayze, a Winnipeg Fire Department firefighter who was in a group of four who withstood the brunt of the explosion at the south of the building, said he was "pretty banged up and bruised" by what transpired.

"The building filled with the pressure and blew out from all sides, and we (just) happened to be closer to the source," Swayze said.

Davies said the building has a "lot of water damage in the front," and the older part of the building is "pretty much demolished."

"Then we have an addition in the back that seems to be OK," he said.

He said he hopes some of the equipment can be salvaged.

Later Monday, a man who said he works as a machine operator pulled up to check out the damage. "It’s a big loss," said the man, who didn’t want his name used.

Omniglass moved to the Sherwin Road location in 1996.

Firefighters remained on the scene throughout Monday, hosing down hot spots and watching for flare-ups.

gabrielle.giroday@freepress.mb.ca

‘They were very close to being killed. That rattled everyone on the scene’

— Bill Clark, Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service assistant chief of operations, of eight firefighters who were blown out of the burning building. One firefighter was sent to hospital

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition January 3, 2012 A3

Fact Check

Have you found an error, or know of something we’ve missed in one of our stories? Please use the form below and let us know.

* Required

In which story did you find the error? *
Please post the headline of the story or the title of the video with the error.
What was the error? *
Please post exactly what was wrong with the story.
What should we have written?
Please indicate your source for the correct information.
Who else should we interview to improve this story?
Please include any contact information you may have.
Can we contact you in the future for advice on stories about this topic?
Yes

No
First Name: *
Last Name: *
E–mail Address: *
This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.
Phone: *
This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.
Colour:
Are you blue? If you can see this, leave it blank and get some CSS support.
Enter the words that you see: * This is to prevent our forms from being filled out automatically.
You have failed to correctly identify the words in the box above. Please try again.

More Latest News

Undock

You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.

Have Your Say

New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.