Irving Oil Confirms "Major Incident" at Saint John Oil Refinery

Irving Oil says that a "major incident" has occurred at its Saint John refinery after the announcement of an explosion and fire Monday morning.

Saint John police said she was responding to an incident that occurred around 10 o'clock. at the refinery, and ask residents to completely avoid the area. The surrounding streets were also closed, but no evacuation was ordered for the neighborhood residents.

"We can confirm that a major incident occurred at our Saint John refinery this morning," Irving Oil said on Twitter. "We are actively evaluating the situation at this time and will share more information when it becomes available."

Since then, the fire has gone out, but people have walked the streets all morning to see the building on fire.

After the blast reported, the Saint John Regional Hospital has adopted the orange code, which means that the hospital is ready to deal with a possible influx of patients.

When CBC News asked Horizon Health Network in New Brunswick if injuries had been reported, a spokesperson responded that he was working on getting an answer.

"The Saint John Regional Hospital in Horizon is on alert and ready to offer its assistance as a result of the Saint John Oil Refinery Explosion," Horizon said on Twitter.

Several photos on social media showed flames at the refinery. Fire officials would be aware of the situation.

The mayor of Saint John, Don Darling, said on Twitter: "It's obviously a live event … when we know more, you'll know more." Pray for the safety of all the people involved. "

Premier Brian Gallant tweeted that he had reached out to Darling.

Gallant added that the New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization was working with the city and Irving Oil officials to assess the situation.

"On behalf of all New Brunswickers, our thoughts are with the affected workers and the community of Saint John," Gallant said.

Bob McVicar, a resident of New Brunswick, wrote on Facebook that it sounded like an "explosion that shook the bed".

The inhabitants of the city said they felt the effects of the explosion.

Mark Melanson and Jocelyn Legassie were sitting at Tim Hortons on Hickey Road, about two miles from the refinery, when they heard a thud.

They looked out the window and saw black smoke and flames rising above the chimneys of the refinery.

Melanson said he saw such explosions on YouTube in oil refineries around the world, but never seen anything like it in Saint John.

Legassie agreed.

"I've lived in Saint John for 30 years and it's the first time I see anything like this happening here."

Rob Beebe felt the explosion of his Martha's Avenue apartment, just a few blocks from the refinery.

"We felt the whole building move as it flickered," said Beebe.

When he came out, he noticed black smoke coming from the refinery, so he jumped into the car, drove around the corner and saw the fire about 30 meters high.

"We are sitting here and we are watching it burn right now," he said. "He gains weight."