Update: Power out in Black Tickle due to diesel plant fire

A fire at a Black Tickle, Labrador, diesel plant has left about 100 people without power, Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro is reporting.

The fire is suspected to have started around 6 a.m. and caused the plant to shut down, according to a Hydro news release.

Excessive smoke had prevented plant operators from entering the site earlier today. As of noon today there were no flames, and the smoke was subsiding.

A Hydro crew from Happy Valley-Goose Bay as well as the fire chief from Cartwright are on site, with community fire departments on standby.

There are no reported injuries, and Hydro vice president of regulated operations, Jim Haynes, said the safety of employees and residents of Black Tickle is the most important issue.

“We are following established emergency procedures to respond to the fire and ensure the safety of our people and the community,” he said.

The plant and surrounding areas have been secured, and Hydro is asking people to avoid the area.

Customers can get updates on the power outage resulting from the fire by calling Hydro Power Outages and Emergencies line at 1-888-737-1296.

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A fire at a Black Tickle, Labrador, diesel plant has left about 100 people without power, Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro is reporting.

The fire was announced on NL Hydro’s Twitter account.

More to follow.