After allegations circulated about a supposed toxic spill near the Stablex industrial site on August 21, the director of the Blainville Fire Department, Claude Deschuymer, has publicly clarified the facts, dismissing claims of contamination and defending the professionalism of his firefighters.
The incident began when demonstrators gathered outside the Stablex facility observed a flow of liquid running from a truck as it exited the premises. Believing the truck was carrying hazardous materials, they took a sample from a puddle on Boulevard Industriel and later asserted that roughly 1,300 litres of toxic liquid had leaked from the vehicle. The story quickly spread on social media, raising concerns among residents about a potential chemical spill.
According to Deschuymer, the Blainville Fire Department (SSIB) was immediately dispatched to the scene after receiving a call. Firefighters collected their own sample of the liquid and carried out gas-detection tests. Laboratory results confirmed that the substance was nothing more than the rinse water used to clean the truck before its departure, and the detection instruments revealed no trace of toxic gases.
Deschuymer explained that “our analysis was conclusive — it was simple cleaning water, not a toxic substance.” He stressed that there had been no threat to public safety or to the environment, and that the intervention had followed all provincial safety protocols.
The controversy deepened when the political party Climat Québec released a communiqué suggesting the firefighters had mishandled the response. Deschuymer rejected that accusation as entirely unfounded, emphasizing that every member of his department is properly trained to deal with hazardous materials incidents. He said he was “proud to lead a team of qualified professionals who intervene effectively in a wide range of emergencies,” adding that all Blainville firefighters are “certified as advanced technicians capable of handling dangerous materials safely.” He described it as “deplorable that anyone would question the competence of such dedicated personnel.”
Deschuymer also refuted the figure cited by protesters, calling it physically impossible. The vehicle in question, he explained, was transporting solid materials rather than liquids, and was not a tanker truck. Even the rinsing process that preceded its departure would not have required anywhere near 1,300 litres of water. He further noted that Boulevard Industriel is a busy commercial artery used daily by heavy trucks and that, during periods of extreme heat, asphalt often releases oily residues which can mix with rainwater and form dark patches that may appear suspicious but are entirely benign.
Beyond the immediate incident, Deschuymer took the opportunity to highlight the recognized expertise of the Blainville Fire Department in responding to hazardous materials situations. He said that first responders undergo specialized external training, pass multiple qualification exams and maintain advanced certifications. The department, he added, is regularly called to assist neighbouring municipalities such as Saint-Jérôme and Sainte-Sophie. “Our expertise is not only recognized but sought after,” he noted, underlining that Blainville’s firefighters are considered a regional reference in managing chemical and industrial risks.
Deschuymer also confirmed that the city’s emergency services operate under a comprehensive contingency plan specifically designed to respond to incidents involving the Stablex facility. He pointed out that in 2024, Blainville’s fire service received a perfect score in the annual fire-coverage evaluation conducted by the Quebec Ministry of Public Security for the MRC Thérèse-De Blainville. This assessment measures how well each municipal service meets response and training standards across seven municipalities.
In addition to its human expertise, the department continues to modernize its equipment and fleet. A new specialized tanker truck dedicated to hazardous materials interventions is expected to arrive in 2026, making Blainville the only fire service in Quebec to possess such a vehicle. Deschuymer said that this investment reflects the city’s determination to stay ahead in emergency preparedness and response capacity.
Finally, he emphasized that the department consistently exceeds provincial response standards. While the Ministry of Public Security requires that ten firefighters arrive on scene within ten minutes, Blainville averages just five minutes and seventeen seconds per call. For Deschuymer, this performance speaks louder than the criticism: the August 21 incident, he said, illustrates not a failure but the efficiency of a department that “has the training, the equipment, and the commitment to protect the community with professionalism and precision.”
