Fire at Emterra sends two to hospital in Winnipeg

A fire in an industrial area of Winnipeg sent two people to hospital.

It broke out around 11 a.m. Wednesday in a sorting pit at the Emterra facility on Henry Avenue. The fire was out at 1 p.m.

The fire was in recycling facility, where material from blue recycling carts is delivered and sorted. The fire was confined to a large pit containing recycled paper. Crews had to flood the pit to extinguish the fire.

Two people were transported to hospital in stable condition to be treated for smoke inhalation. Prior to fire crews arrival, 46 employees left the building after the fire alarm went off.

Emterra is the company that is contracted to pick up Winnipeg's trash and recycling.

Minor delays in recycling collection are expected. Residents with Wednesday collection are advised to leave their recycling cart out until 10:00 p.m. and contact 311 if their recycling carts are not emptied by that time. 

No delays in curbside garbage and yard waste collection are expected.

Damage estimates and cause are still under investigation.