ELMIRA, Ont. (CP) -- Fire crews were working Friday morning to contain a fire at a giant chemical plant in this southern Ontario town.
There were no early reports of injuries, although residents living near the Crompton plant were being told to stay indoors as roads leading to the facility were blocked off.
Waterloo regional police couldn't confirm how the fire started.
Crompton, formerly Uniroyal Chemical Co., produces petroleum additives, crop protection and rubber chemicals as well as synthetic lubricants at its facility in Elmira, about 15 kilometres north of Kitchener.
The company has a history of environmental controversies.
In March, area residents accused the company of dragging its feet on the cleanup of their local water supply, which has been contaminated for 14 years.
Elmira has depended on water piped in from Waterloo since 1991, and it is expected to take another 27 years before the local water is clean enough to be used again, officials said.
Crompton was also handed a $125,000 fine two years ago after pleading guilty to two counts under the Environmental Protection Act following a spill in February 2000 at its operations.
