SASKATOON – The Saskatoon Fire Department was busy Saturday morning stopping chemicals in a flaming vehicle from catching fire.
At around 9:32 a.m. firefighters were called to Magnus Insulation at 806C 43rd Street East.
Upon arrival, the first crew received information that the flaming cube van contained six barrels of isocyanate.
Battalion Chief David Nahachewsky says isocyanate is a chemical used for making foam insulation.
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Firefighters utilized self-contained breathing apparatuses and had the blaze under control in seven minutes. The Hazmat trailer was on standby.
No barrels caught fire and no chemical escaped from the containers. One barrel did expand due to the heat so crews hosed it down to lower its temperature back to normal.
“Sealed barrels, when you apply heat to them, they expand and if it got hot enough, it could burst,” said Nahachewsky.
“We were making sure that we don’t put water on this chemical because that’s one of the restrictions of this chemical.”
The fire is considered accidental but the investigation will continue Monday.
Damage is estimated at over $50,000.
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