The Chatham-Kent Fire Department have announced the cause of the blaze at Stealth Metal in Wallaceburg, which caused smoke to be seen from Chatham.
Ric Scharf, assistant chief, said the cause was an employee error.
An “employee using the wrong tool for the job at hand,” Scharf told the Sydenham Current.
Damage is being pegged at $250,000. Previous reports say over $1 million in property was saved.
Black smoke could be seen 26km away, as Wallaceburg firefighters responded to the blaze at the 100 Mason Street recycle yard on Wednesday, May 18, at 12:10 p.m.
Scharf said in a press release that firefighters had the blaze under control within 15 minutes and proceeded to eliminate spot fires throughout.
A.A. Wright Public School in Wallaceburg was sheltering students in-place until the fire was under control.
No one was injured as a result of the blaze, Scharf said.
Crews responded from Wallaceburg Station #3, Chatham Station #2 and North Chatham Station #5.
Here is some RAW footage of the fire:
Here is a photo gallery of the fire: Massive fire at Stealth Metal in Wallaceburg
