Molten steel spill on the weekend triggers dark cloud over ArcelorMittal Dofasco

A spill of molten steel sparked a fire and huge dark plume over ArcelorMittal Dofasco Saturday.

No one was injured in the early afternoon incident, but dark smoke billowing over the industrial harbour spurred air quality worries among residents living near and downwind of the facility.

Close your windows and stay indoors, you never know what kind of chemicals are in this smoke," said Citizens Against Pollution member Kat Bezner in a Saturday Facebook warning to near-industry residents. Some residents commenting online said the plume was visible from the Lincoln Alexander Parkway.

General manager John Lundrigan notified members of the company's citizen liaison committee by email of malfunction" in the transfer of liquid steel into a caster, where the molten metal is cast into slabs.

The ArcelorMittal Dofasco fire department dealt with the resulting fire, with support" from city firefighters.

The company notified the provincial Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks, which was on site Monday to gather more information, said ministry spokesperson Gary Wheeler.

The ministry is also reviewing emissions data collected from an air monitoring network in the industrial area for any potential impacts," he said.

Wheeler said the significant visible emissions" were due in part to water hitting molten steel, but also the burning of combustibles" in the area like equipment.

No foam or chemicals were used to fight the short-lived fire and about 30,000 litres of douse" water evaporated or drained into containment ponds.

Company workers allowed the liquid steel to solidify before cleaning it up.

Matthew Van Dongen is a Hamilton-based reporter covering transportation for The Spectator. Reach him via email: mvandongen@thespec.com