Access regained to Lilydale north Edmonton facility following morning fire

EDMONTON , Dec. 8 /CNW/ - Lilydale north Edmonton employees have regained access to facilities at 7727-127 Ave. following a fire this morning in a shed that houses compressors for the refrigeration units.

"We believe the damage to be relatively minor at this point and commend the quick response from Edmonton emergency services and our Lilydale employees in the handling of this incident," says Lilydale spokesperson Connie Smart . "Thanks to their good work, the situation was quickly brought under control."

The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Production has been halted for the day and resumption for tomorrow is still being determined. Shipping operations are expected to resume this afternoon.

The north Edmonton plant processes fresh and frozen turkey for the retail and food service market. Approximately 350 employees work at the 127th Ave. location, which is comprised of the plant and head offices.

A Lilydale employee taken to hospital for smoke inhalation earlier in the day was released shortly thereafter.

About Lilydale

Headquartered in Edmonton , AB, Lilydale Inc. is a leading manufacturer of poultry products including fresh chicken and turkey, premium deli and prepared chicken and turkey products. Established in 1940 as the "Alberta Poultry Producers Ltd.", products are marketed under the Lilydale brand and distributed across Canada at major retailers. The company employs over 2,100 people at facilities throughout Western Canada: Abbotsford, BC; Port Coquitlam, BC; Edmonton , AB; Calgary , AB; and Wynyard, SK.

For more information visit www.lilydale.com

For further information: Media contact: Connie Smart, Manager, Corporate Communications and Public Relations, Lilydale Inc., Tel: [phone], Cell: [phone]