Golf ball recycling factory fire forces evacuation
by The Canadian Press
Thick, black smoke poured from a factory in Beloeil and reduced visibility to near zero along a nearby highway
BELOEIL, Que.&mdashA major fire in a golf ball factory east of Montreal caused the temporary evacuation of a number of homes affecting about 100 residents and the closure of a major highway Saturday afternoon.
The fire began the morning of April 4 at Distribution Golf FPC Inc., a company that specializes in recycling used golf balls.
City authorities said the evacuations were precautionary.
The residents were allowed to return home after a provincial environmental team determined the smoke posed no health risk.
Thick, black smoke poured from the factory in Beloeil and reduced visibility to near zero along nearby Highway 20.
Holiday travellers experienced major delays after the highway was closed in both directions for several hours.
About 70 firefighters were dispatched to the fire. Two were slightly injured.
One of about 20 employees who were in the building was taken to hospital for a minor health problem.
The cause of the fire is being investigated.
