Report: Pellet Mill Explosion in Nova ScotiaReport: Pellet Mill Explosion in Nova Scotia
December 11, 2018

Firefighters from several municipalities responded to the Great Northern Pellets facility in Upper Musquodoboit, NS around noon last Sunday after an explosion rocked the site, the Halifax Chronicle Herald reported.
Fires started in two structures used to store pellets at the plant following the blast and piles of pellets outside the buildings also ignited during the incident, officials told the newspaper. Middle Musquodoboit Fire Department Chief Robert Kay said in the Chronicle Herald’s coverage that about six workers were on site when the blast occurred.
The chief said the owners of the pellet mill have recently worked to improve the site’s fire prevention capabilities because several fires have previously broken out at the site.
“With this type of industry and the material being dry wood, you can run into these situations,” Chief Kay said when interviewed by the newspaper. “There are other industries of a similar [nature] across the province and they all have the same issues. We plan for it, prepare for it, and hope that it doesn’t happen.”
Company representatives said no workers received injuries during the incident, but noted that the mill would halt operations for several days as a review of the fires and explosion is carried out.
“There were no injuries to our staff and we are pleased to report that our safety equipment and procedures worked as intended and contained the situation,” Thor Olesen, the chief executive officer of Great Northern Pellets, said in a statement.
Great Northern Pellets is a part of Halifax, NS-based Great Northern Timber, a provider of hardwood and softwood products.
For more news headlines, articles, and equipment reviews, visit our Equipment Zones
You May Also Like