Minor explosion at Essar. No injuries (15 photos)
Sunday, March 11, 2012 by: SooToday.com Staff
12:18 p.m. update
A reader reports that Transwest is the big slag dump between Bayview and Flakeboard off Base Line.
"Two shop is where the steel is made," said the reader. "It had nothing to do with it."
As the smoke clears SooToday.com will catch up on posting photos to our gallery.
Thank you to all our readers who submitted photos and information.
12:14 p.m. update
Brenda Stenta, Corporate Communications, Essar Steel Algoma, sent us the following note:
"At Essar Steel Algoma today at approximately 11 a.m. we experienced a minor explosion. We were dumping surplus iron and it came in contact with water causing a reaction. No one was injured and there is no impact to operations."
12:02 p.m. update
A text just came in from a reader saying hot metal was accidentally dumped on water at "trans west, 2 shop" and that the blast furnace at Essar Steel Algoma is fine.
If anyone can clarify what trans west, 2 shop is, SooToday.com would greatly appreciate it.
11:57 a.m. update
People in the Michigan Sault and as far east of Bayview as Boundary Road are reporting hearing the noise.
"I live on Bristol Place just off Boundary Road and I heard/felt the noise," reports one reader. "Didn't shake but rather 'rumbled' the house somewhat."
A resident on Pittsburg Avenue says it was most assuredly not a catastrophic event at the blastfurnace in Essar Steel Algoma.
"My house looks at it," said the reader.
11:43 a.m. update
A report from a person who called a friend working inside Essar Steel Algoma.
"They didn't even know about it," said the reader. "Smoke looked like it came from west of the steel plant."
11:32 a.m. update
Other reports this cloud of reddish smoke probably resulted from some issue with the iron-making process at Essar Steel Algoma and that it is comming from a stack at the mill in Bayview.
Reports about the source are contradictory.
People as far away as McNabb hill are reporting the sound was loud and alarming.
People closer to the mill (Farwell Terrace area) are saying it shook their whole house.
11:28 a.m. update
A reader reports that the sound may have come from the blast furnace but this information has yet to be confirmed.
Original story: 11:12 a.m.
Reports are pouring in about a loud explosion-like noise and cloud of reddish smoke pouring from the Bayview area.
The event occurred about 11 a.m.
SooToday.com is trying to determine the source of the noise.
If you have any certain information about the sound please text (705) 541-1446 with your information or photos.
You can also send your photos to news@sootoday.com.
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Mim 3/11/2012 11:33:31 AM ReportThat was one HUGE KABOOM! Felt like a car ran into the house! If this is another algoma steel incident they may need to review their procedures!
mixerman55 3/11/2012 11:36:39 AM Reportlooked like it came from essar just south of the number 7 blast furnace
opinionated 3/11/2012 11:40:20 AM ReportI am on tenaris property today - scared the s*it out of me.
It was not the blast furnace I can confirm that - it happened further west towards where they dump slag.
HiRoller 3/11/2012 11:41:39 AM ReportI live up on Foothill Rd. near 4th line and Goulais Ave. and it was heard loud and clear enough that the house shook and the dogs started going crazy. I submitted pics of the cloud seen from up here. I actually lived on Goulais Ave. close to the plant when the last explosion was seen/heard and this was just as loud!
Sam C 3/11/2012 11:41:59 AM ReportDidn't hear the bang, but saw a large cloud rising over 'the hill' -- I was driving westbound on Trunk and turning onto McNabb.
I was going to head to St George's hill to get a photo, but by the time I reached Gt Northern the cloud had mostly dispersed and drifted to the north east.
Dentone 3/11/2012 11:45:08 AM ReportThis was also heard and felt around Royal York sound sure does travel!
Mermaid 3/11/2012 11:46:24 AM ReportI heard the loud bang and I live in the east end near Shannon road!
emerald 3/11/2012 11:48:21 AM ReportI live on Heath RD. And it was like a very very loud crack of rumbling thunder...weird....hope all is ok
catlady 3/11/2012 11:51:31 AM ReportI felt it in the Greenfield sub. It was They were dumping Iron & it hit water. Something like that.
EGB 3/11/2012 11:51:37 AM ReportThought a vehicle had hit my home on Tancred St. So lound the house shook & pictures rattled on the walls. Scary
F!$h!e 3/11/2012 11:54:35 AM Report"The Big Bang Theory"...I'm reading other reports and Facebook feeds, and "Water hitting hot slag" in Trans West area seems to be winning....
It's true that in a lot of areas in there, you wouldn't hear or feel an explosion due to your work environment.
hodedo68 3/11/2012 11:54:35 AM ReportI heard it 17kms away! but sound does travel well down the river.
northshoremb 3/11/2012 11:58:17 AM ReportNothing serious. There was water in the pit at Transwest when they were dumping a pot. When there's water in the pit and metals dumped on it it causes hydrogen which in turn causes a big Kaboom!!
Mim 3/11/2012 11:59:39 AM ReportOK now you don't have to be a geek to have a BIG BANG THEORY!
opinionated 3/11/2012 12:00:13 PM ReportI agree with northshore - that's what I was thinking. This was by far the biggest explosion I've witnessed here, must have been the right mix.
marla 3/11/2012 12:00:25 PM ReportI heard from a worker inside says it is something they do on purpose.
Just saying they should warn the public.
northshoremb 3/11/2012 12:00:36 PM ReportDoesn't happen when water is added to metal only when metal is added to water and the gases have no place to go....kaboom. Happens alot in here every day but not to that extent
saultresident 3/11/2012 12:03:39 PM ReportOne large extended bang, and then 10 or 12 shock waves. Shook the heck out of our house in the Broadview Gardens area.
DannoG 3/11/2012 12:07:32 PM ReportHeard as far as Kerr Drive
speed7 3/11/2012 12:13:22 PM ReportHeard it very loud here in the west end. It shook my house. Souded like something heavy slammed on our roof! Scared the bejeebees out of me. Went outside only to fine one curious person like me , my neighbour who was looking towards the plant. That was a pretty terrifying noise even thought it was a second or two.
northshoremb 3/11/2012 12:16:21 PM ReportTranswest is the "slag dump" between Bayview and Flakeboard plant off Base line. 2 shop is where the steel is made where I work which had nothing to do with it
rarly 3/11/2012 12:16:22 PM ReportThey dump molten slag at Trans West, but they are not supposed to dump it in water. The molten slag will immediately turn the water into steam, which causes the explosion.
OMGWTF 3/11/2012 12:40:51 PM ReportHate to see what the call a major explosion!
muddmutt69 3/11/2012 12:56:32 PM ReportI live on Glasgow and it looked like G.P. flake bord. But from what I have been reading I guess it's not. Shure reminded me of last summer. As long as no one got hurt that all that matters.
Mim 3/11/2012 12:57:52 PM ReportA MINOR EXPLOSION?! IS THAT ALL YOU HAVE TO SAY??? NO INJURIES? IM SURE ANYONE WITHIN 500 METERS WILL HAVE RINGING IN THEIR EARS!
THAT WAS NOT MINOR BY ANY MEANS THAT EXPLOSION SHOOK OUR HOMES AND CAUSED A GREAT NUMBER OF CITIZENS IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD INCLUDING MYSELF GREAT CONCERN.
QUIT DOWNPLAYING THIS AND SEE TO IT IT DOESNT HAPPEN AGAIN!!! HOW ABOUT AN APOLOGY IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK?
geterdun 3/11/2012 1:22:28 PM ReportDont worry just a minor explosion spewing toxic chemicals into the air we breath.........From the colour of the orange cloud I think only a few animals ,birds ,people will be affected.Dont worry says Stenta it was only a minor explosion.LOL.Like she cares if they are spewing toxic chemicals into our air...UmmmmUmmmmm sure smells nice around here.....Emergency room should be booming this afternoon with people having problems breathing.......ah gota love it when a big company can spew toxic chemicals into the air and not have to worry about anything.Just a minor explosion ....Please .....
I'm In 3/11/2012 1:22:57 PM ReportIt's the Iranians Practising, all of you get a life. When slag is poured on water you get a KABOOM, I know cause when I did it back in the day.
northshoremb 3/11/2012 1:38:27 PM ReportApology for what Mim? Yes I work at Essar but I sure down downplay it. A hauler that was within 200' of the Boom said he didn't even hear it. The Brown cloud is just mostly rust and dirt, nothing toxic. If there was and toxic fumes then the Ministry of environment would slap a huge fine. More toxic chemicals in cigarettes then when the dump iron. Not saying there's no toxic fume in here but that was nothing in my opinion. You would get the same explosion at home if you dumped a hot metal into water just on a smaller scale
barty 3/11/2012 1:43:32 PM ReportI heard it in Toronto lol
northshoremb 3/11/2012 2:06:31 PM ReportWhat, Mim complaining?
syndi 3/11/2012 2:21:31 PM ReportToxic fumes???? YES! Big fines???? NO! I am sitting here doubting that sadly very much. When myself and a couple other people from S.S.M with in a two week period of each other were ALL diagnosed with Acute Myloid Leukemia back at the end of 2009...And all of the nurses were astounded at the amount of Saultites being treated for this exact leukemia... no one was fined for the size of the particulates of benzene and benzoates that had been released from 2008-2009.This I know from an article in the Soo This Week and more than likely an article that this SOOTODAY.com covered. "Cant pinpoint the leukemias cause but there was an extreme rise is cancers and leukemias that year?" Really? Fines???? Hmmm????
saultresident 3/11/2012 2:35:13 PM ReportI think steam would cause a white/clear cloud. Pretty sure there is more in that cloud than pure steam!
northshoremb 3/11/2012 2:45:59 PM ReportNever said steam anywhere in my response. I said dirt and rust. Plus I never said that it's the healthiest place. Yes there is benzene and other harmful chemicals but that's the Coke o end not dumping molten iron. Read what I said before you write. And the ministry of environment hands out fines if there's a emissions problem over there allowed limits. There not part of Essar there Government. I suppose you all drive electric cars and only electric appliances in your house? I'm surprised they havnt outlawed fireplaces in houses cause the smokes not white... You people crack me up. If you don't like living here then by all means move to James Bay
sweeprider 3/11/2012 3:08:12 PM Reportaccording to a steel plant forman today an operator dumped some hot slag into a puddle of water in the transwest area, which is west of the 4 gate at goulais ave. the 2shop is closer to the 1 gate and had nothing to do with the explosion.
sweeprider 3/11/2012 3:11:48 PM Reportp.s. if you hear the bang, your ok
britt7 3/11/2012 4:33:43 PM ReportI live close to Eastview school, It sounded like a big rumble of thunder, but as I was in the Walmart when the transformer exploded a couple months ago, I learned that thunder doesn't really sound like that on a clear day. So I figured it was just a transformer blowing up a couple blocks away. Little did I know I could hear or even feel a blast from the steel plant living so far away.
scottstewy123 3/11/2012 5:30:51 PM ReportI thought someone hit the house
ddikky 3/11/2012 5:53:06 PM ReportThis is a minor explosion?
fronz 3/11/2012 7:14:46 PM ReportI HEARD THE SOUND , BUT I'VE HEARD MANY OF THESE IN MY LIFE AND I DIDN'T RELATE IT TO A WATER SLAG BLAST? IT WAS TOO FAST IN SOUND WAVES ,A REGULAR STEAM SLAG BLAST SOUNDS MORE LIKE CANNON FIRE NOT QUICK INTENSE EXPLOSION . PLUS RARELY A CLOUD RISES UP LIKE A NEVADA NUKE . WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?
GIANFRANCO FRONZI. MARCH /11/2012
angie_pie99 3/12/2012 1:10:31 AM ReportThis mill will close down soon
They will bring that business in their Country
So they are preparing the Sault for it lol
Note: Comments that appear on the site are not the opinion of SooToday.com. Keep discussions civil and on topic. Refrain from obscenity and don't post anything that your grandmother would be ashamed to read. Those who do not abide by these guidelines will have their membership revoked without notice. If you see an abusive post, please click the link beside the post to report it.
