More than 1,100 workers have been evacuated from the Consumers’ Co-op Refinery as a precaution after a leak was discovered late Thursday morning.
Director of public affairs Brad DeLorey said the leak was discovered around 11 a.m. in section one of the facility.
“We took the precautionary measures to sound the alarm to evacuate the area immediately – isolate it.”
DeLorey said all 1,181 workers were accounted for in the evacuation. No one was hurt, and nothing from the leak was released into the environment.
“We are now de-pressurizing the unit and we have sent our contractors home for the day.”
An investigation into the leak has already begun and DeLorey estimates that operations will be back to normal at some point Thursday afternoon.
Employees evacuated from Co-op Refinery after a leak was detected at the upgrader. pic.twitter.com/2U8HzIM1nU
— Adriana Christianson (@AdrianaC_JME) September 10, 2015
I can see firefighters on scene at Coop Refinery upgrader. The refinery has it’s own fire crew. pic.twitter.com/8HZK5SEOnx
— Adriana Christianson (@AdrianaC_JME) September 10, 2015
Behind evacuated workers you can see the Coop Refinery Fire truck which is hosing down one area. pic.twitter.com/46FsERpRmC
— Adriana Christianson (@AdrianaC_JME) September 10, 2015