Fatal Explosion at Tourmaline Natural Gas Plant in British Columbia

An explosion followed by a fire occurred at Tourmaline’s Gundy c-60 natural gas facility around 5:45 p.m. local time, according to a company statement. Emergency crews promptly responded, and operations at the plant were halted. Tourmaline reported collaborating with firefighters and local officials to contain the fire and confirmed there was no threat to public safety.

The fire was successfully controlled and extinguished by 12:21 p.m. on April 15. Tragically, one contractor lost their life due to the incident, while another sustained injuries and was transported to a hospital for treatment.

WorkSafeBC, the provincial safety regulator, dispatched investigators to the scene, and Tourmaline has launched an internal investigation to determine the cause. The company is continuing to oversee site conditions.

The British Columbia Energy Regulator (BCER) revealed that the explosion was triggered when a pipeline at the facility was struck, igniting the blaze. Once the fire was put out, the plant was secured, and authorities confirmed there was no ongoing risk to the public or the environment.

BCER’s Compliance & Enforcement Officers visited the site overnight and are actively monitoring Tourmaline’s emergency response. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and WorkSafeBC are also participating in the ongoing investigation.

Photo credit: Tourmaline Oil. All rights reserved.