North America: fires at plant and quarry

On Tuesday fires broke out at both the Cemex Balcones Quarry, Texas, USA, and the Lehigh Hanson Materials cement plant in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Sara Bouffard, Cemex director of communications, said no one was hurt. The fire was ruled accidental and determined to have been caused by welding. Fire marshal Kory Klabunde said he was unsure how much damage the fire caused, but the investigation was complete.

Lehigh Hanson Health and Safety Director, Gerry Sanderson, said the plant was not shut down or evacuated, and that the coal silo fire had been contained, with damage to the facility appearing to be minimal.