Saint John asks residents to stay inside as fire at metal recycling plant rages on

Many Saint John residents were asked to take shelter from the smoke or wear masks Thursday as a scrapyard fire raged on by the harbour on the city's west side

Crews have been battling flames at the American Iron and Metal recycling plant since early morning.

Three schools across Saint John Harbour have been forced to close because of the smoke, and people living near it were advised to stay inside.

"There's quite a bit of smoke in the area," said Saint John Fire platoon chief Ed Moyer.

There have been no reports of injuries from the fire, which started at about 1 a.m. in a tall pile of compressed metals and cars.

The Saint John Emergency Measures Organization says residents in the south end of the city and Millidgeville areas should also voluntarily stay inside.

"Closing all windows and doors is recommended as well as turning off HVAC systems," the City of Saint John said in a statement.

"It is recommended that if you are in an area where you smell smoke, that you limit your exposure outside. Should you need to be outside, consider wearing a mask as a precautionary measure."

Saint John High School, Saint Malachy's Memorial High School and St. John the Baptist/King Edward Schools all closed at 8:50 a.m.

WATCH | A look at the fire at AIM recycling plant from earlier this morning:

Crews battle fire at metal recycling plant along Saint John Harbour

2 hours ago

Duration 0:39

The fire began early Thursday morning at American Iron and Metal recycling plant on the west side of the city.

Air quality in the city has deteriorated significantly. According to the federal government air quality index, conditions are at "moderate risk," or four out of 10 as of 10 a.m. At 8 a.m., conditions were at one, or "low risk."

No evacuation notices had been issued as of 10:30 a.m.

The burning pile of metal is 100 feet high, 300 feet long and 200 feet wide, Moyer said.

There have been some small explosions in this scrap pile, and crews are working to make sure flames don't spread to other piles.

Kathleen McNamara, who lives about a quarter of a kilometre from the scrapyard, said that as the fog started lifting Thursday morning she could see flames and smoke.

"It's shocking, actually," she said.

She said she could smell an "awful" acidic smell, and she's concerned about the air quality.

"This is probably the biggest fire they've had from what I know," she said of the scrapyard.

AIM's Saint John operation has been the subject of controversy for years. Explosions at the yard have awakened and worried people living on the lower west side, and there were two workplace deaths within a seven-month period between 2021 and 2022.

AIM is now facing workplace safety charges related to the death of one of the workers, Darrell Richards.

Saint John Mayor Donna Reardon said the fire is another example of why this kind of industry should not be so close to residential areas.

"If this was farther out and disasters were to happen, say that whole thing catches on fire, it limits the amount of damage to people and to your citizens," she said.

Reardon said Saint John is contending with a lot, including a hurricane heading its way.

As well, about 140 city hall workers who occupy clerical, tech and desk positions have been on strike since Tuesday.

Port Saint John said it was notified of the AIM fire shortly after 1:45 a.m., and its emergency response plan was activated.

"Our main priority at this time is the safety of everyone involved," the port statement said. "We will continue to keep the community informed as more facts of the incident are confirmed."

The port land is federally owned, Reardon said.

Saint John police said emergency crews are on site "of a large outside fire" on the city's west side.

"We are receiving a high volume of calls for the smell of smoke," police said.