Thermoforming plant burns near Windsor

A fire that burned for several days destroyed a thermoforming facility in Kingsville, ON in late June. Horti-Pak Inc. was a supplier of polystyrene seedling trays for the green house industry.

At press time the fire marshal’s office had not completed its investigation into the cause of the fire, but was said to be focusing on the possibility of an electrical malfunction.

Local newspapers reported that about 10 people were at the plant when the fire started, but injuries were noted. An 800-metre zone around the Kingsville plant was evacuated twice during the several days that the fire burned.

CPIA president and CEO Pierre Dubois says both NOVA Chemical and Dow Chemical, which have facilities in Sarnia, ON, offered some of their equipment to local officials.

CPIA has a multi-faceted, proactive approach to fire safety. The association provides plastics-related information to fire departments across the country, and provides guidelines for member companies concerning the development of a fire safety plan.