Man dies after explosion, fire at St. Catharines waste facility: police

Niagara police say a St. Catharines man has died after explosions and a fire at a hazardous waste facility in the city Thursday morning.

In a video update, Niagara Regional Police Inspector Rob Laplante confirmed the man in his 30s was the lone worker inside Ssonix Products 2010 Inc. where a fire broke out shortly after 6:30 a.m.

St. Catharines Fire Services Chief Dave Upper has said the man was taken to hospital with serious burns before he died.

Police are not releasing his identity as next of kin are still being notified.

READ MORE: Man injured after St. Catharines explosion, fire at industrial facility

Laplante said drivers can expect road closures near the facility on Keefer Rd. as police and Ontario’s Office of the Fire Marshal continue to investigate the cause of the blaze.

Upper says he expects the investigation will take seven to 10 days and they are asking the public and media to stay away from the scene.

Crews say the fire was extinguished Thursday evening and that people living in a neighbourhood north of the facility evacuated earlier in the day as black smoke billowed towards the area.

Upper has said the air quality was clean and safe for residents and workers in the area after it was tested by provincial officials throughout the day.

St. Catharines Mayor Mat Siscoe thanked emergency crews for their response, as well as volunteers from the Red Cross and the local animal shelter for help running an evacuation centre.

WATCH MORE: St. Catharines city officials provide update at 1 p.m. on explosions, fire