Regina refinery explosion in 2013 could have been prevented: report
An investigation reveals the blast occurred because cold weather measures were not taken
An explosion and fire at Regina's Co-op Refinery last Christmas Eve could have been prevented.
An investigation into the incident reveals the blast — which was heard all around the city — might not have happened if better cold weather measures were taken.
- Click here to read the report on the Co-op Refinery Complex Incident Dec. 24, 2013 On mobile? It may take a moment to load.
A report was released on Wednesday by the province's Technical Safety Authority.
The report said on Dec. 24, 2013, a freeze and then thawing of a high pressure pipeline caused it to burst, setting off an explosion and then a fire started. No one was injured.
The report said a similar pipe rupture occurred five years earlier, but the vapour did not ignite in that incident.
It also contains several recommendations to prevent a similar event.
One of them is to create a written "Freeze Protection Program", which would outline procedures for when a cold weather shutdown is required.
There have been several explosions and fires at the refinery complex over the past 25 years. The most serious incident happened in October 2011 when 36 people were injured.
Recently, in November 2014, a leak at the refinery forced a partial evacuation of the plant. There were no injuries.
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