Heavy machinery at the Milner Group's Biggs Rd. location continue to work over unprocessed, raw materials which ignited in the early morning hours of Monday, Sept. 13. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

FIRE

VIDEO: Tree stumps, debris ignite in overnight fire at Milner Group yard

Sep 13, 2021 | 10:24 AM

NANAIMO — A pile of raw material ignited to create a sizable fire west of the city overnight.

Nanaimo Fire Rescue were called out to Milner Group’s recycling yard on Biggs Rd. just after midnight when a pile of unprocessed recycling materials ignited.

Troy Libbus, assistant fire chief, said crews arrived quickly and found an extensive fire, including tree stumps ablaze.

“They could see there was a recycling pile, approximately 150 by 100 feet on fire fully involved. Crews went up there, sized up the area and realized there was heavy equipment in that area so they applied water to protect the heavy equipment until the property owner showed up to move the equipment.”

Two engines from Nanaimo Fire Rescue initially attended, however the fire took place on East Wellington Volunteer Fire Department jurisdiction.

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Nanaimo crews departed after an hour and a half, leaving command with East Wellington crews.

“They have water tender which they held shuttle water, so they assisted Nanaimo Fire Rescue,” Libbus said. “They’re quite good at shuttling water so we count on them for these types of situations.”

Machinery at Milner continued to operate on the pile early Monday morning, turning over mulch and extinguishing any hot spots.

A plume of smoke was visible from the scene throughout western, inland parts of Nanaimo. The smell of smoke extended through much of the city.

The cause of the fire remains undetermined. East Wellington fire crews departed the scene at around 5:30 a.m.

Craig Cookman, general manager of the Milner Group, confirmed to NanaimoNewsNOW they’ve reported the situation to the BC Wildfire Service as a precaution and will maintain a 24/7 watch over the scene.

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