Explosion at Superior Propane in south end of Barrie, Ont., forces evacuation
Emergency crews evacuated an area in the south end of Barrie, Ont., around 2 p.m. Friday to deal with explosions and a fire at a propane facility.
Barrie Fire was called to Bayview Drive, south of Mapleview Drive and east of Highway 400, as flames and dense, black smoke filled the air above Superior Propane on Bayview Drive.
"The main concern at the time was the report of two large, 30,000-gallon propane tanks with flame impingement," said Barrie Deputy Fire Chief Ed Davis.
Davis said the emergency shut-off was hit "almost immediately," which prevented any further propane from going into the filling station inside the building.
Police immediately evacuated a one-kilometre radius in all directions in the area of Lockhart Road and Bayview Drive as a precaution.
Residents reported hearing a loud explosion followed closely by sirens from emergency crews.
"It sounded like a bomb," said Traci Dixon, who was in the Walmart parking lot at the time, just north of Superior Propane.
Davis said the explosions were likely from smaller barbecue-sized propane tanks and not the larger, more dangerous tanks.
"There was some discolouration on the tanks. Some paint flaking, but there wasn't enough heat to generate an explosion on those tanks at that time," the deputy fire chief said. "That's why it was important to put a large volume of water on those tanks."
Davis said crews managed to get enough water to cool the tanks quickly to avoid disaster. "When they explode, they do go off like missiles."
By around 3 p.m., officials said the fire was under control. Still, Davis said police would continue to hold the area until crews were "satisfied" there wouldn't be any further incidents.
Two Barrie Transit buses were called in to help evacuate those in the area.
No one was injured.
The Ontario Fire Marshal's office has assigned investigators to work with local authorities to determine the cause of the fire.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
developing Bus plunges off a bridge in South Africa, killing 45 people. An 8-year-old child is only survivor
A bus carrying worshippers headed to an Easter festival plunged off a bridge on a mountain pass and burst into flames in South Africa on Thursday, killing at least 45 people, authorities said.
Calgary bridges remain closed due to ongoing police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Kinew, Poilievre meet at Manitoba legislature, discuss each other's priorities
Premier Wab Kinew and federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre met at the Manitoba legislature Thursday afternoon.
Biden OKs US$60M in aid after Baltimore bridge collapse as governor warns of 'very long road ahead'
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore warned Thursday of a 'very long road ahead' to recover from the loss of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge as the Biden administration approved US$60 million in immediate federal aid after the deadly collapse.