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Small external fire extinguished quickly at Catalyst’s Crofton pulp mill

Fire department called Monday afternoon as part of protocol, but services not needed
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An external fire was put out on site at the Catalyst Crofton pulp mill Monday afternoon before it got out of control.

Graham Kissack, vice president of Corporate Social Responsibility for Catalyst Paper Corporation, explained a belt burned off a piece of equipment in the crumb pulp system.

“The fire was small and was extinguished quickly by operations,” he noted. “The belt guard had come loose and started rubbing on the drive sheave that caused heat and eventual failure. Permanent repairs were made to the guard (Monday afternoon) and the entire system is already returned to service.”

Crofton Fire Department was dispatched, but told to stand down before arriving at the mill, according to a member of the mill’s security personnel.

“Notifying outside support fire services is our standard protocol and doesn’t necessarily reflect on the size of the event,” added Kissack.



Don Bodger

About the Author: Don Bodger

I've been a part of the newspaper industry since 1980 when I began on a part-time basis covering sports for the Ladysmith-Chemainus Chronicle.
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