Toronto, Ontario — June 24, 2019 – An auto recycling facility in St. John’s Newfoundland caught fire last Tuesday, taking several hours to be extinguished.
Around 7 a.m. on June 18, St. John’s Regional Fire Department received a call that thick black smoke was rising from Newco Metal and Auto Recycling plant.
When firefighters arrived, the fire had spread to several crushed cars and rubble in the yard. They had initial difficulties accessing the fire in the first place as there was a tractor blocking the entrance as well as a lack of fire hydrants in the area.
“It’s because of the nature of what’s inside those crushed vehicles,” Fire Department Shift Supt. Robert Fowler told the CBC.
“Diesel, plastics, vinyls – that when they ignite and burn, they produce a lot of black smoke and a lot of toxins.”
Although the fire moved fast and needed reportedly four different fire departments to put it out, no injuries were sustained.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
