EDMONTON, Alberta, Oct. 24 (UPI) -- A massive explosion Friday at a plastics factory in Edmonton, Alberta, injured at least nine people and created environmental concerns.
The blast happened just before 8 a.m. in the city's east end as contract workers were installing fireproofing in a part of the AT Plastics factory, the Edmonton Journal reported.
Edmonton Fire Services spokeswoman Nikki Booth said smoke blanketed the factory's 3-square-block property and there were concerns about air quality. Provincial environmental officials were also on the scene and said they were concerned about contaminated water run-off, the report said.
Of the injuries, early reports said at least one person was listedin serious condition with life-threatening injuries, three others were in stable condition and the other five were treated for minor injuries, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp., reported.
Imperial Oil has a refinery just east of the blast site but a company spokesman said no damage was done to the petroleum facility.
