Date: June 27, 2023
Location: Peace River, Alberta (CA)
Address: Highway 2 Bridge, T8S 1Z4
Type: Dust Fire
Fuel: Paint Dust
Industry: Construction
Equipment: Dust Collector
Company: Peace River Bridge
Database Incidents: None Recorded
Loss: No Injuries
Capital Cost: Unknown
Status: Open
Confirmation: Unconfirmed
Company Description:
The Peace River bridge, an essential component of the National Highway System, experiences heavy traffic with over 17,000 vehicles per day, accommodating various industry and agriculture traffic, while the closest alternative route to cross the Peace River requires a lengthy 70-km detour.
Incident Description:
On June 28, 2023, the Daily Herald Tribune reported a dust collector fire during bridge construction and maintenance in Peace River, Alberta.
Police and fire departments swiftly responded to reports of a fire at the bridge construction site around 8:30 p.m. on June 27. They quickly identified the flammable dust within the sandblasting dust collector as the cause.
The burning contents posed additional risks to commuters, pedestrians, and the surrounding areas, prompting authorities to issue warnings, advising people to avoid the vicinity and roll up their windows if crossing the bridge.
As soon as the incident commander arrived, he informed construction workers that there was lead paint in the dust collector. The northward wind propelled highly toxic lead oxide vapor toward the new bridge and pedestrian underpass. In order to minimize public exposure, a toxic smoke alert was issued, and firefighters were equipped with appropriate protective gear and decontamination protocols.
No injuries were reported.
Sources:
Daily Herald Tribune
