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Taber fire loss described as “total” by company

Feb 13, 2017 | 5:27 AM

TABER – An industrial building in Taber is described as a total loss, along with everything in it, after a weekend fire.

The fire at Flexible Solutions International on 52nd Ave. broke out at 2:48 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11. Three people escaped the fire, including an employee suffering from what the company called “very minor burns” in a news release.

As a precaution, the nearby Frito-Lay plant was evacuated due to fears the strong wind would cause the fire to spread. Notice was also given to Rogers Sugar, but that facility did not need to be evacuated. Crews remained at the scene Sunday, and were on hand to quickly contain a flare-up early in the morning.

According to a Facebook message from the town, the fire did briefly spread to an adjacent rooftop, but the new fire was quickly put out.

FSI said in its statement that the facility generates between $600,000 and $800,000 per year for the company, in sales of swimming pool products manufactured there. The plant is insured, FSI added. 

***Up-Date as of noon Feb 13th —

The Town of Taber has given notice that at 5:00-pm on Monday, Feb 13, Alberta Environment and the HAZMAT team, would be on site to remove Anhydrous Ammonia from the structure. As a precautionary measure, the Taber Fire Department may notify some businesses in the area that they will have to be temporarily evacuated.  

The Town note that this a controlled transfer of materials, and there is no concern for residents