By Dene Moore
The Montreal Gazette
BOISBRIAND, Canada — Jean Larochelle says he was lucky to escape with a minor burn from a factory fire Tuesday that forced 1,500 people to flee a black cloud of toxic smoke.
Larochelle was mixing chemicals in the coatings plant when a huge fireball exploded from a large barrel metres from where he was standing.
“I dropped to my hands and knees and crawled out of there as fast as I could,” Larochelle told the Montreal Gazette after fleeing the fire that forced the evacuation of about 500 residents and 1,000 employees in nearby businesses.
More than 100 firefighters from nine nearby communities were called to battle the blaze on the third floor at Polyval Coatings Inc. in Boisbriand, north of Montreal.
Larochelle received a first-degree burn on his arm.
“I know I saved my life by getting out of there quickly,” he said. “I was very scared.”
Fire Chief Christian Grand’Maison said early Tuesday evening the fire wasn’t yet completely under control but there were no longer concerns it could flare up again.
Mobile air-quality laboratories were set up throughout the area.
While the sour aroma of burning chemicals hung in the air, an official with the provincial Environment Department said toxin levels had dropped to acceptable levels.
“As a precaution, we evacuated a large perimeter of approximately one kilometre to be certain that people would not be affected by the smoke or chemicals,” said Pierre Robert, regional director for the department.
He said officials would continue to monitor local air and water for contamination.
Local fire officials said the fire had originally affected more than 150 employees in the industrial park and nearby residents.
The perimeter was later widened to include 500 residents and 1,000 workers in 10 nearby factories as a security measure because of the presence of toxic products, said Grand’Maison.
“They went door to door,” said Nathalie Landry, who had to leave her nearby home. “They came and asked everybody to evacuate.”
Johann Entner and his wife were just outside the evacuation zone but remained on alert throughout the day.
“The police came by and said keep the windows closed and if the smoke gets stronger, we should leave,” he said.
“You could smell it.”
Gabriel Ross was working nearby when police told him to leave immediately.
“We were standing watching the smoke when we heard two loud explosions,” he said. “There was thick, black smoke everywhere.”
Three people sustained minor injuries, including Larochelle. A firefighter and a resident were treated for smoke inhalation.
None required treatment in hospital.
Sgt. Martin Charron of Ste-Therese-de-Blainville police said most of the evacuated residents passed the time at the homes of friends. About 30 took refuge in an emergency centre set up by officials.
The plant’s general manager was treated in hospital after ensuring 125 to 150 employees had fled the building, his son told French-language TV channel LCN.
“He ran a marathon today to get everyone out as soon as possible,” Jean-Marc Reid said in an interview after briefly speaking with his father.
“I said I was proud of him and that he was my hero.”
The 23-year-old company manufactures a membrane spray used in corrosion protection, drying and waterproofing on pipelines and reservoirs, according to its website.
The plant is located near the Laurentians highway. Traffic wasn’t affected except for the closure of a nearby exit.