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

A police photographer recounts the harrowing day of the Polytechnique massacre

Montreal crime scene photographer Harold Rosenberg witnessed a lot of horror over his thirty years on the job, though nothing of the magnitude of what he captured with his lens at the Polytechnique on December 6, 1989. He described the day of the Montreal massacre to CTV Quebec Bureau Chief Genevieve Beauchemin.

Quebec premier wants to ban praying in public

Premier François Legault took advantage of the last day of the parliamentary session on Friday to announce to 'Islamists' that he will 'fight' for Quebec values and possibly use the notwithstanding clause to ban prayer in public places such as parks.

Northern Ontario man sentenced for killing his dog

WARNING: This article contains graphic details of animal abuse which may be upsetting to some readers. A 40-year-old northern Ontario man is avoiding prison after pleading guilty to killing his dog earlier this year.

Stay Connected