Massive recycling plant fire darkens Windsor skies

Massive recycling plant fire darkens Windsor skies:

AMHERSTBURG, Ont. -- A fire at an Amherstburg property Tuesday afternoon sent thick, black plumes of smoke into the sky that could be seen over 50 kilometres away.

Nearby residents were being warned to stay indoors as the fire in the 7700 block of Howard Avenue raged on land next to the offices of Libby Terminals and Motor Lines, a trucking and storage company.

The fire, which appeared to be in large plastic crates, quickly covered almost one hectare — the area of two football fields.

Volunteer firefighters from two Amherstburg stations rushed to the blaze and quickly called for backup from LaSalle and the Windsor Fire and Rescue Service’s hazardous materials crew.

Firefighters were warned the burning material was believed to be high-density polyethylene and polypropylene and that the smoke could be toxic.

According to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety burning high-density polyethylene can release potentially harmful chemicals, including carbon monoxide, acrolein and formaldehyde.

The Ontario Ministry of Environment sent staff from its Windsor office to the site to assess the situation and had air monitoring equipment on standby, said spokesman Mark Rabbior.
© The Windsor Star 2006"