Skip to main content

Black smoke visible in Edmonton caused by 'unit upset' at Strathcona Refinery: company

A large flare at the Strathcona Refinery on the outskirts of Edmonton on January 30, 2023. (John Hanson/CTV News Edmonton) A large flare at the Strathcona Refinery on the outskirts of Edmonton on January 30, 2023. (John Hanson/CTV News Edmonton)
Share

Officials at a refinery on the outskirts of Edmonton say a big flame and thick smoke coming from the facility "is no concern for the community."

The plume started because of an "a unit upset" at approximately 3:10 pm Monday, prompting a flood of 911 calls.

"We are aware of the situation and have been informed that it is a generator issue. Thank you for your diligence in reporting!" Edmonton Fire Rescue Services tweeted at 3:39 p.m.

A spokesperson for Strathcona Refinery on 101 Avenue/ Baseline Road and 34 Street said environmental monitoring was taking place.

"Neighbours and the community will be seeing a large flare and black smoke from Strathcona Refinery. We are in the midst of restarting but flaring and smoke are expected for the next several hours," Keri Scobie wrote in an email.

"For competitive reasons, we don’t discuss details of specific units."

A large flare at the Strathcona Refinery on the outskirts of Edmonton on January 30, 2023. (John Hanson/CTV News Edmonton)

A large flare at the Strathcona Refinery on the outskirts of Edmonton on January 30, 2023. (John Hanson/CTV News Edmonton)   

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

DEVELOPING

DEVELOPING New clues emerge in hunt for gunman who killed health insurance CEO

As the hunt for a masked gunman who stalked and killed the head of the largest U.S. health insurer moved into its third day Friday, surveillance footage provided more clues about the suspect's travels and the places he visited before the shooting.

Canadian unemployment rate jumps near 8-year high

Canada had 1.5 million unemployed people in November, propelling its jobless rate to a near-eight-year high outside of the pandemic era and boosting chances of a large interest rate cut on Dec. 11.

Stay Connected