A fire broke out at Schnitzer Steel, south of Nanaimo Airport, on Thursday morning with crews quickly on scene. (submitted/Kris Hill)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

STEEL FIRE

Schnitzer Steel fire contained after firefighters battle blaze for hours

Sep 10, 2020 | 10:07 AM

NANAIMO — A raging fire in a pile of scrap metal is now contained.

The Cowichan Valley Regional District announced the blaze at Schnitzer Steel south of the Nanaimo Airport was contained in the evening of Thursday, Sept. 10.

“Fire crews are presently gaining control of the fire being fueled by contaminated material, including a tire pile that continues to burn down,” the CVRD said in a statement.

“The threat of the fire exposure to adjacent properties and structures is lessening as wind speed and direction improved favourably.”

A massive plume of smoke rise high into the air Thursday morning due to a fire at Schnitzer Steel. (submitted/Martin Mansfield)

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Upwards of 70 firefighters from a wide variety of mid-island fire crews battled the fire since approximately 9 a.m.

The fire sent a massive plume of smoke into the air.

Nearby residents and travellers through the area were also complaining about a strong smell of plastic on scene.

Representatives from the BC Ministry of Environment are also on scene looking over potential contamination of groundwater in the area and lasting effects of the fire.

Residents in North Oyster, Cedar and Ladysmith are asked to avoid water use.

The fire caused significant traffic concerns throughout the day. Lanes on the Trans-Canada Hwy. were closed at times to allow for emergency vehicles.

Several accidents on the highway also occurred, further hampering traffic.

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