Fredericton recycling facility fire battled past midnight

Firefighters and employees at Fredericton's main recycling facility worked through midnight New Year's Eve to tackle a fire that began mid-morning Wednesday.

• Fredericton landfill building destroyed by fire

A forklift driver inside the recycling storage facility at the city's landfill site on Alison Boulevard raised the alarm at around 11:30 a.m.

Fire crews from Fredericton, Oromocto and New Maryland joined forces to stop the fire from spreading among the bales of paper and plastic.

But a couple of hours after firefighters arrived, crews were ordered to get out.

Shortly afterward, the roof collapsed.

Plant owners then used an excavator to tear down the walls, allowing firefighters to douse the flames. Their efforts were made more difficult by having to drive two kilometres to the nearest hydrant.

Efforts to tackle hot spots continued early Thursday morning.

"One of our employees in the excavator, he's just breaking bales apart just so the firefighters can get more water on it, and we're using some natural resources here by payloading in some snow," said Brad Janes who speaks for the Fredericton Region Solid Waste Commission.

An adjoining building was damaged, but owners believe theexpensive baling and sorting equipment housed in thatbuilding has been saved.

"We all work here and it's a key part of our industry here, so to see it go is disheartening, whether it's New Year's Eve or May 6."

Fire Insp. Cameron Dunn says early indications point to a flammable object inside the recycling materials.

The Fredericton Region Solid Waste Commission says garbage and recycling collection won't be affected.