Stop work orders issued after explosion at Manitoba propane facility injures workers

Firefighters in the RM of Taché were dispatched to a high-risk scenario after a fire broke out inside a propane distribution facility.

A Manitoba propane distribution facility has been slapped with stop work orders after an explosion at the site injured three workers.

According to a Manitoba government spokesperson, Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) issued two stop work orders and an improvement order related to Prairie Propane’s Ste. Genevieve facility’s service and maintenance work, as well as the use of a forklift.

“WSH is continuing to investigate,” the spokesperson told CTV News.

The orders come after an explosion at the facility last week.

Firefighters from the RM of Taché got a call at around 3:30 p.m. on Jan. 29 for a report of an explosion with injuries.

Upon arrival, firefighters discovered a burning structure containing roughly 100 propane tanks, plus three large propane tanks and an estimated 250 smaller tanks positioned around the building.

At the time, fire officials told CTV News that two people were taken to the Health Sciences Centre for injuries — one by STARS Air Ambulance and the other by ground ambulance.

A third person received medical care on scene and was released.

RCMP said they were all treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

A spokesperson for Shared Health said the patient transported by STARS was discharged later that day.

The province confirmed to CTV News on Thursday that all three injured were employees at the facility and the explosion originated in a gas cylinder, citing an RCMP investigation.

CTV News has reached out to Prairie Propane for comment on the matter and is awaiting a response.

- With files from CTV’s Will Reimer and Milan Lukes