WINNIPEG — Speedway International wants to store fuel again at the site of a massive fire and explosion one year ago, but the city has stopped construction.
A stop work notice was issued Aug. 14 after city inspectors discovered the company didn’t have the proper permits to rebuild at the St. Boniface site.
“We want to make sure this never happens again,” Mayor Sam Katz said, adding the company won’t be able to store the same combustible materials it had before.
The province said it hasn’t issued a permit.
“Speedway International has applied to the province for an environmental permit to store fuel at the site of their former plant. No permit has been issued,” a provincial spokesperson said in an email Tuesday.
“That permit can only be issued in accordance with the City of Winnipeg zoning bylaws. The city has indicated that they are reviewing their zoning bylaws. Area residents have raised legitimate concerns about having a fuel storage facility in a residential neighbourhood, which the city will no doubt take into consideration.”
“I want to know what the company’s rebuilding plans are,” said Crystal Seargeant, who lives near Speedway.
St. Boniface Coun. Dan Vandal said a report is expected in the next few weeks that will look at what a safe distance is between homes and businesses with environmental permits.
The fire commissioner is finalizing a report that will recommend changes to make such facilities less dangerous, the provincial spokesperson said.
“It was written in consultation with municipal governments including Brandon, Winnipeg and Portage la Prairie, which are responsible for ensuring the safe storage of combustible material at industrial sites like Speedway,” the spokesperson’s statement said. “Among other things, the report recommends regular inspections of industrial sites like Speedway. Department officials are reviewing the recommendations in the report.”
The Speedway fire on Oct. 1, 2012, was one of the largest blazes in Winnipeg history. The facility, which manufactured racing fuel, was completely destroyed in the blaze, which investigators blamed on spontaneous combustion. It caused around $15 million damage.
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