Morning blast at polymer plant rattles east Edmonton

The cause of an explosion at an east Edmonton polymer plant that rattled homes and sent plumes of black smoke into the sky Friday is under investigation. 

Officials with the Celanese Corporation said the blast occurred around 10 a.m. at its plastic fabrication facility at 4405 101st Ave. in the Eastgate Business Park area of Edmonton. 

An investigation into the incident at the Celanese Edmonton site is underway, company officials told CBC News Friday.

Videos of the incident posted to social media show black smoke billowing from the plant followed by an orange glow that briefly filled the sky. People living nearby reported a loud boom rattled their homes.

Brian Bianco, a spokesperson for the company, described the blast as a "release" from the plant's reactor.

He said a "manufacturing upset" resulted in the opening of a relief device on the plant's reactor.

Despite the noise and smoke, he said there was no need for emergency services to respond to the scene. No injuries have been reported, he said.

"It wasn't an explosion," Bianco said. "It's a safety device that basically releases pressure."

He said there was some debris thrown onto the property but "nothing beyond the fence line." He said there is no risk to the community. 

The incident has been reported to appropriate regulatory authorities, including Alberta Environment, Bianco said. 

In a statement to CBC News around 12 p.m., Edmonton Fire Rescue Services said it was aware of a potential explosion on the east side of Edmonton and that crews were in the area but had not yet identified the source.