Skip to content

Blasting causes alarm for Chemainus residents

Some feared a household explosion had occurred
12763828_web1_Cook
Perceived explosion was originally thought to have originated from Cook Street. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Several residents of Chemainus reported hearing and feeling a loud explosion late Monday afternoon.

Around 5 p.m., people living in the areas of Cook Street, Ash Road and even as far as Hillside Road experienced what they thought was an explosion originating in the upper Cook Street neighbourhood.

Some said it shook the ground and seemed almost like an earthquake.

While everyone pondered exactly what had happened, Fiona Constable came up with the definitive answer that blasting was occurring at Porter’s quarry.

Ironically, sirens sounded a short time later, but fire rescue headed in the opposite direction that had people perplexed. Turns out there was a small fire on the trail around Chemainus Lake.



Don Bodger

About the Author: Don Bodger

I've been a part of the newspaper industry since 1980 when I began on a part-time basis covering sports for the Ladysmith-Chemainus Chronicle.
Read more