Fire prompts evacuation of plant near Winnipeg airport

WINNIPEG – A hazmat team was brought in to fight an overnight fire at a plastics manufacturing plant near the Winnipeg airport.

The hazardous materials unit was called to Reliance Products on Sherwin Road near Dublin Avenue in the St. James Industrial Area at around 2:30 a.m. Wednesday.

There were 23 employees at the plant, which was evacuated while crews fought the fire in a storage silo. One of them was taken to hospital in stable condition.

The silo contained plastic resin pellets and the smoke was deemed hazardous, making the hazmat call and evacuation necessary. The fire produced acrid smoke, a witness said.

The fire caused an estimated $250,000 damage. It was accidental, officials said.