A chemical fire in St.Catharines caused $300,000 in damage.
St.Catharines fire inspectors have determined that spilled chemicals, including fertilizer and chlorine for swimming pools, that mixed and created a thermal reaction was the cause of yesterday’s fire at 55 Oakdale Ave.
Crews responded to reports of the fire at the indoor industrial storage facility before 11 a.m. and had the fire under control by 1:30 p.m.
City officials say the incident occurred while a tenant leasing storage space at 55 Oakdale Ave. was unloading palettes of various retail items, including containers of chemicals, from the back of a truck.
Fire investigators found that one of the palettes tipped over, allowing the chemicals to spill out of their broken containers and mix together.
The tenant and the delivery truck driver attempted to extinguish the fire.
When they weren’t able to do so they exited the building and called 9-1-1.
Damage is estimated at $300,000.
No injuries were reported.
Fire Prevention Officers discovered potential Ontario Fire Code violations at the building while investigating the cause of the fire and will be following up with the property owner.