Update: Hazardous Fire in St. Catharines Contained

Callers to our newsroom say explosions rocked their homes 2kms away

UPDATE - 5:55 PM, THURSDAY, JANUARY 12TH

Evacuated residents have been given the go-ahead to return home. 

 

UPDATE - 1:30 PM, THURSDAY, JANUARY 12TH

One person has been hospitalized and dozens of residents evacuated following explosions and a fire at a hazardous material company in St. Catharines. 

Around 6:30 this morning, firefighters were called to the Sonix Products facility on Keefer Road. 

Fire Chief Dave Upper says while firefighters battled the initial blaze, the flames spread to an industrial building next door. 

While fire crews are still at the scene, the St. Catharines Fire Department says the blaze is under control

The victim, who sustained severe injuries, was initially taken to St. Catharines General Hospital, but has been transferred to Sunnybrook Hospital. 

Many nearby residents were evacuated, and have taken shelter at the Kiwanis Aquatics Centre. 

Mayor Mat Siscoe notes contingency plans are being made in the event that evacuees may need to stay overnight, and the Red Cross has been called in.

Residents are being asked to avoid the area. 

The province's Fire Marshall is investigating, and the Environment and Labour Ministries are at the scene. 

Several road closures remain in place, including the following: 
 

 • Northrup Crescent from Read Road to Parkside Drive

• Keefer Road from Northrup Crescent to Seaway Haulage

• Seaway Haulage from Lakeshore Road to Broadway

• Read Road from Lakeshore Road to Northrup Crescent

• Parkside Drive from Broadway to Northrup Crescent

There is still no word on what caused the fire. 

Update 9:30, Thursday morning:

Niagara Regional police say a major hazardous fire at a business in St. Catharines has been contained.

They've tweeted area residents who were evacuated this morning will be notified when it's safe to return home.

Police and emergency crews were called around 6:30 this morning, after explosions rocked the area in the north end, at Seaway Haulage Road and Keefer Road.

One person has been taken to hospital with serious injuries.

The following road closures are in place: 

 • Northrup Crescent from Read Road to Parkside Drive

• Keefer Road from Northrup Crescent to Seaway Haulage

• Seaway Haulage from Lakeshore Road to Broadway

• Read Road from Lakeshore Road to Northrup Crescent

• Parkside Drive from Broadway to Northrup Crescent