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Pellet plant explosion injures three; workers had filed safety concerns

February 13, 2019 – A fire and explosion at a wood pellet plant west of Edmonton that sent three people to hospital Monday, including one with serious injuries, also had a fire at its facility in January 2019.

The Canadian Press reports that Pinnacle Renewable Energy, a wood pellet plant in Entwhistle, Alberta, also experienced a fire on Jan. 2. No one was injured. 

According to the report, Alberta Labour has confirmed there were health and safety inspections at the plant after the fire and in December 2018 after workers complained about the safeguarding of equipment. 

Two of the workers injured in Monday’s 2:30 pm explosion were sent home, while the third remains in hospital. 

Provincial authorities are still investigating the cause of the blast.

Pinnacle Renewable Energy began operations in September 2018 and manufactures wood pellets used for residential and industrial heating.