BELOEIL, Que. — A major fire in a golf ball factory east of Montreal has caused the evacuation of about 100 residents and the closure of a major highway Saturday afternoon.
The fire began Saturday morning at Distribution Golf FPC Inc., a company that specializes in recycling used golf balls.
City authorities said the evacuations were for preventative reasons.
Thick, black smoke poured from the factory in Beloeil and reduced visibility to near zero along nearby Highway 20.
Holiday travellers experienced major delays after the highway was closed in both directions.
About 70 firefighters are fighting the fire. Two were slightly injured.
One of about 20 employees who were in the building was taken to hospital for a minor health problem.
A provincial environmental team is monitoring the air quality.
A spokesman told a news conference there is no health risk from the smoke, at this time.
