Fredericton landfill fire contained, officials say

A large fire at the Fredericton Regional Landfill, which had forced residents to stay indoors because of fears the smoke couldbe toxic,has been contained, fire officials said Sunday.

The blaze broke out early Saturday evening at the landfill on Wilsey Road in the city's south end and was 50 per cent contained by firefighters on Sunday.

"Any smoke concerns that we had last night have decreased drastically because of the amount of control we have with this fire," a fire official told CBC News.

But officials are still advising people with breathing problems to take precautions until the fire is completely extinguished.

On Saturday night, the New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organizationsaid it was treating the smoke from the fire as toxic. It warnedpeople in the area to stay inside, keep doors and windows closed, turn off air conditioners and air-exchange units, and keep pets and farm animals indoors.

There have been no reports of how many people may have beenaffected.

Officials from the Emergency Measures Organization were on the scene on Sunday, along with teams from the Fredericton and Oromocto fire departments and inspectors from the provincial Environment Department.