Nine hurt in explosion at Magna auto plant in Newmarket, Ont.

Nine people were hurt – six of whom were taken to hospital – after a fire and explosion at the Magna International Inc. automotive plant in Newmarket, Ont., north of Toronto on Wednesday, May 1.

According to local news reports, the explosion happened on Wednesday morning at the Dortec Industries plant, which is a division of auto parts molder Magna.

In a press release, Magna – North America’s largest auto parts maker – said the incident was due to a “minor arc flash explosion” that occurred on a manufacturing line, and that the injured employees were taken to hospital for “further evaluation.” None of them were in life-threatening condition, the company said. 

The plant’s 200 employees have been evacuated and are not being allowed to re-enter as investigators assess the scene.

The Ministry of Labour and the Ontario Fire Marshal’s office have been called in to investigate, news reports said.

The division makes door modules, locks, and other components for Magna. The company has no details on when the facility will re-open, a Magna spokesperson has said.