Nine units were called out to a large structure fire the evening of Tuesday, June 6 at a waste collection site in Chase River. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Jordan Davidson

structure fire

Smoke visible across Nanaimo after fire at Chase River waste collection site

Jun 7, 2023 | 11:07 AM

NANAIMO — No one was injured but fire crews were on scene all night and into the morning following a large warehouse fire in Chase River Tuesday evening.

Shortly after 5 p.m. on Tuesday, June 6, emergency crews were called to the Waste Connections Canada site at 333 Tenth St. following multiple 9-1-1 calls.

Nanaimo Fire Rescue assistant chief Troy Libbus spoke with NanaimoNewsNOW on scene Wednesday morning and said there was heavy smoke and flames coming from one of the buildings when crews arrived.

“With the weather, we had some difficulty just cause of the winds and the high temperatures. We managed to get the fire under control pretty quick and now the fire is deep seeded. The fire actually got into the recycling pile and then got into part of the wood right beside it, so we had two fires going on.”

Smoke was clearly visible from many parts of Nanaimo and the surrounding Islands. (submitted photo/Matt Wakefield)

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Workers were on the site at the time the fire broke out, but managed to avoid any injuries.

Libbus said the fire was under control after about five hours as they cycled through crews to give them a break from the high temperatures and smoke.

One fire crew was still on the scene Wednesday morning checking for hot spots as heavy equipment sorted through the charred remains.

“The cardboard recycling (gets) pretty deep seeded, when it gets into that it’s really difficult to get out,” Libbus added. “We’ll keep hitting all the hot spots to get this out before we leave today.”

The cause of the fire has yet to be determined, with fire loss prevention officers taking over the scene once fire crews give the all clear.

He reminds residents not to hesitate to call them if they see smoke or flames as the warm weather continues with little precipitation in the forecast.

“When you have any concerns please call 9-1-1 and keep in mind, we got a hot summer coming up here. It’s drying out, so follow all your burn regulations.”

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