Firefighters, staff prevent further damage from Minas Basin plant fire

By Christy Marsters

The Hants Journal/NovaNewsNow.com

Hantsport firefighters were called back to Minas Basin Pulp and Power early Friday morning, July 4, to extinguish any lingering embers still burning on the roof of the plant.

Hantsport Fire Chief Paul Maynard said it took another two hours to treat hot spots smoldering in the vent from the fire that had started the previous afternoon from an overheated bearing on a piece of machinery inside the building and had extended through the ventilation system.

The evening before, fire crews had advanced lines to the interior of the building and onto the roof with the assistance of an aerial apparatus, Maynard said. “The fire was quickly knocked down and contained within 30 minutes of the arriving units.”

Fire departments throughout Kings and Hants counties responded to the fire call at the Minas Basin Pulp and Power plant in Hantsport at approximately 5:40 p.m., July 3.

The fire, resulting from a bearing failure, overheated one of the dryers in the second section of the Minas Basin Pulp and Power’s paper machine as it then ignited grease and paper adjacent to the area. The fire continued to spread throughout the ventilation system and onto the roof of the two-storey commercial structure as firefighters arrived on scene.

No firefighter injuries were reported as a result of this incident, Maynard added. “However, two employees of the Minas Basin were treated for smoke inhalation by EHS paramedics on scene and transported to the Hants Community Hospital in fair condition.”

Minas Basin executive assistant Beth Caldwell said those employees were examined at the hospital as a precautionary measure due to some smoke exposure and have since been released. “They have both reported back for work this morning.

“Due to the outstanding efforts of our mill staff and local fire departments, the fire was quickly contained and damage was minimal,” Caldwell said. “The paper machine was down for approximately 12 hours, while crews investigated the scene, replaced parts and repaired what damage there was… exact costs have not yet been calculated.”

The Minas Basin plant was brought back up to par and became fully operational again at 5:30 a.m. today, Caldwell added. “We expect no interruption of service to our customers.”

Hants-West MLA Chuck Porter also arrived at the Minas Basin to offer his services as he quickly received word of the fire, and he was relieved to find the situation wasn’t serious.

Thanks have to be given to the staff and firefighters, whose efforts prevented disaster, Porter said. “I’ve got to say we’ve got one of the best fire services anywhere.”

It’s a good thing, too, because the provincial government is heavily invested in the Minas Basin, Porter said. “We just gave them $20 million… They do a lot for the community.”