BAIE VERTE, NL — Firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze that all but destroyed the Baie Verte Green Depot Monday.
The fire broke out around noon at the recycling facility, and heavy smoke and flames quickly engulfed the Main Street building. As of about 9 p.m., the Town of Baie Verte notified residents the fire was out, but that firefighters were continuing to monitor the scene for potential flare-ups. The smoke was also minimal at the time.
The primary concern remained the amount of explosure to smoke that came from the building and the burning of the recycling products. The most impacted area was the section of Main Street between the depot and the post office, according to the town's Facebook page. Although residents had been evacuated and the area barricaded, smoke was expected to continue to spread throughout the evening. The barricades had been lifted at that time,and it was the discretion of residents whether they would return to their homes or stay elsewhere overnight to reduce their risk of smoke exposure.
Previous: The recycling depot in Baie Verte is currently on fire.
Members of the Baie Verte Fire Department are on the scene fighting the fire. Flames and heavy smoke are coming from the building.
The fire at the Baie Verte Green Depot started around noon, and increasingly grew to the point flames and heavy smoke bellowed from the facility. The building has sustained heavy damage and is expected to be near or completely destroyed. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police also responded and have been directing traffic away from the area. People in nearby homes have been evacuated. No injuries have been reported.
Police reported the cause of the fire is under investigation, and are asking people not to enter the area for personal safety and the safety of the first responders. Traffic has been restricted in the zone on Main Street from Shoppers Drug Mart to the Canada Post building. Heavy smoke in this area is posing a risk to the public, according to the RCMP.
The Nor'wester will continue to update the story as it unfolds.
