N.B. premier promises full investigation into Saint John scrapyard fire
Premier's statement says AIM must submit preliminary report within 24 hours of the incident
A shelter in place order remained in effect Thursday evening for all Saint John residents as a stubborn scrapyard fire continued to send huge clouds of hazardous smoke over the New Brunswick port city.
Crews had been battling flames at the American Iron and Metal recycling plant by Saint John Harbour since early Thursday morning.
Premier Blaine Higgs released a statement Thursday evening promising a full investigation into the incident.
"The investigation will take the time required and be thorough. There will be no consideration of resumption of operations until we have more information about what took place," reads the statement.
"I know people are angry and want answers as to how this could happen. I want those answers as well and I am committed to sharing what we find out as soon as we are able."
According to the statement, AIM will have to submit a preliminary report within 24 hours of the event and a follow-up within five days.
By 2 p.m. Thursday, Saint John Fire Chief Kevin Clifford said half the fire was knocked down, but a lot more work remained.
"We still have a lot of fire on the ... water side," he said. "I do hope by tomorrow morning we're in a situation of total control."
Security cameras knocked out in spring
Three schools across the harbour from from the west-side plant were forced to close because of the smoke, and many people were advised earlier in the day to stay inside.
There have been no reports of injuries from the fire, which started at about 1 a.m. in a pile of compressed metals and cars.
AIM CEO Herb Black said the fire was not caught early because the company was hacked last spring, and security cameras have been down. He said the fire was eventually spotted by a lone mechanic overnight.
"I'm instituting plans that it can never happen again," Black said.
When asked if AIM had any contingency plans in place to make up for the cameras being down, he said: "I'm not in the mood for you to dig into my problems right now. It's a major problem. I regret it happening and there's nothing I could do about the past."
Dr. Rita RaaFat Gad, the acting medical officer of health for the Saint John region, said air quality has been affected by the industrial fire.
"It contains a mixture of chemicals," she said. "While we can't really qualify what is being emitted from this fire, we expect that the plume from this fire can be hazardous to your health."
She said she strongly recommends anyone in the city of Saint John and neighbouring communities to shelter in place until the fire is brought under control.
"You should close your windows, turn off your air exchanger and stay indoors," she said.
She recommended cancelling any outdoor activities.
Clifford said the size of the fire is a square area of 300 metres, eight to nine metres tall.
Air quality in the city deteriorated significantly. According to the federal government air quality index, conditions were at "moderate risk," or six out of 10, at 11 a.m.
By noon, conditions were back at "low risk," or two out of 10, except the areas affected by the smoke, which were still at six.
According to the province's air quality data, the amount of fine particulate matter in the air is the highest it's been since December 2021. It's the second-highest ever reported on the province's charts.
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.
Ransomware attack at fault, CEO says
Reached by phone Thursday afternoon, Black said the multinational company was the target of a ransomware attack in March or February. He said all systems had to be rebuilt from the ground up, and security camera feeds hadn't been recovered yet.
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.
Acrid smoke and fog
No evacuation notices had been issued as of 2 p.m. Fire Chief Kevin Clifford said shelter in place is the best strategy for now.
"If there needs to be a large-scale evacuation, we won't hesitate," he 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 scrap yard, 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.
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.
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With files from Jennifer Sweet