There was a propane fire outside a well-known local business during the night on Saturday, December 6.
According to Champlain Township Director of Fire Services Ghislain Pigeon, at 11:31 pm, a snow clearing crew outside the L’Orignal Packing building on Highway 17 near L’Orignal hit a propane line leading to the building. The ruptured line erupted in flames causing a large fireball. A truck from L’Orignal fire station responded, with assistance from tanker trucks Vankleek Hill, Alfred and Lefaivre. About 20 firefighters attended the fire.
“The crews initially protected exposures, the propane tank, two trailers and the building itself,” Pigeon said.
Firefighters then safely shut off the gas supply from the propane tank feeding the fire. Pigeon said the incident was rapidly brought under control.
On Sunday, December 7, L’Orignal Packing posted on social media that the building was not affected, and the popular meatpacking and frozen food business would be open as usual on Monday, December 8.