Resolute gets orders from Fort Frances fire department

The Fort Frances Fire and Rescue Service has issued orders to Resolute Forest Products regarding its idled mill in the community.

Fire Chief Frank Sheppard issued the orders after learning much of the mill would not be heated this winter.

"In this particular case, what we ended up doing was [we] wanted to ensure that we covered off the public safety item."

Sheppard said there is a concern that over the winter standpipes and sprinklers may not work throughout the entire facility. He said many of the automatic fire alarms are interconnected with the sprinkler system, and he's worried about the lack of operating fire systems at the mill.

"So, the circumstance in the mill has changed, due to the fact that they really are closing it, or have closed it and are not running it as an operational system, so really, the fire rescue system has changed as well."

Sheppard said a fire would jeopardize the safety of the few workers left in the plant, as well as firefighters.

He said the orders require that sprinklers, pipes and fire alarms remain operable, and all the orders fall under a section of Ontario's Fire Protection and Prevention Act.

"At the end of the day, what we should all be doing is ensure we have a solution that's mindful of the public safety, and that really should be everybody's priority."