No injuries after explosion at Hamilton steel factory
Posted December 25, 2020 1:25 pm.
Last Updated December 25, 2020 10:49 pm.
No injuries were reported after an explosion at a Hamilton steek factory on Christmas Day.
Firefighters were called to the ArcelorMittal Dofasco steel mill on Burlington Street East around 11:30 a.m. on Friday.
Initially, officials with Hamilton fire and police said the blast took place at Stelco Hamilton Works.
Hamilton police’s Acting Staff Sgt. Jason Leek told 680 NEWS the explosion happened in a furnace area that was not staffed at the time. He also said all employees at the facility were accounted for.
A spokesperson with ArcelorMittal Dofasco confirmed a series of eruptions took place when liquid slag / iron came into contact with moisture during the Slag Casting process at the No. 4 Blast Furnace.
“The event caused a significant air emission. Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks have been alerted,” read a brief statement from the company.
Large plumes of brown smoke were reported along Hamilton’s waterfront.
hoping everyone is safe pic.twitter.com/WGBKFysFhe
— clare d rushton (@clarebear4747) December 25, 2020
Leek told The Canadian Press the explosion occurred at least a kilometre from any residences, so no evacuations were required and no injuries have been reported.
Leek said the explosion caused “quite a cloud” but it dissipated quickly and police are not aware of any safety or environmental concerns.
The company said the reaction was comprised of “mostly iron, iron oxide and water vapour, as well as silica, calcium, magnesium, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide.”
Editor’s note: The initial version of this story said the blast took place at Stelco Hamilton Works, which was the information provided by Hamilton Fire and police. In fact, the blast took place at ArcellorMittal.
