Firefighters remain on scene and continue to battle a blaze that broke out at a recycling depot in south Nanaimo yesterday.
Nanaimo Fire Rescue crews rushed to the facility in the 300 block of Tenth Street just after 5 p.m. on Tuesday, June 6, responding to an alarm for a structure fire. Firefighters arrived to find large piles of cardboard and other recyclable materials on fire at the side and at the rear of the company’s recycling processing building.
Fire had also extended into the rear of the structure. Thick black smoke could be seen across the city moments after the fire started.
Nine fire trucks from Nanaimo Fire Rescue’s four fire stations were deployed to the recycling centre work yard to battle the blaze there, and at a wooded area immediately east of the property, to contain the fire and keep it from spreading into the trees.
A B.C. Hydro substation is located just beyond the forested area. Flames and heavy smoke were being driven by winds toward the woods and substation.
Nanaimo RCMP and City of Nanaimo crews re-routed traffic away from Tenth Street, which was closed between Douglas Avenue and Southside Drive, where hoses crossed the road. RDN Transit’s Route 8 bus was also rerouted.
B.C. Ambulance Service was also on scene and remained in attendance overnight to assist firefighters.
On the morning of June 7, Troy Libbus, Nanaimo Fire Rescue assistant chief, said crews and equipment would be on scene for much of the day knocking down hot spots in the pile of debris.
He described the conditions throughout the night as “miserable,” with firefighters having to be constantly rotated to cool down and re-hydrate after enduring high heat and heavy smoke.
No injuries have been reported and the cause of the blaze, and extent of damage to the facility, is being investigated.
A large fire has traffic blocked on 10th street, more details to come pic.twitter.com/DccvVk3IZ0
— Bailey Seymour (@baileyseymour02) June 7, 2023
@NanaimoBulletin.com pic.twitter.com/xa8xKckwAD
— Chris Bush (@ChrisBushphotog) June 7, 2023
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karl.yu@nanaimobulletin.com
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