Crews continue to battle major fire at Shercom Industries north of Saskatoon

Fire crews continued to battle a major fire which started Monday night in an industrial area just north of Saskatoon.

Saskatoon Fire Services said they received reports just after 7 p.m. CST of smoke and flames at Shercom Industries on Peters Avenue in the North Corman Industrial Park.

The first crews arrived in just under 10 minutes of receiving the call and found a fully involved building with heavy smoke.

Warman Fire Rescue also sent a water supply truck and a crew to assist with the fire fight.

The fire started in the east of three connected buildings, according to the Saskatoon Fire Department. The building is used as a warehouse.

It is believed that the fire spread to a second building where 9,072 kilograms of shredded rubber, 80 208-litre barrels of polyurethane and several other finished products are housed. Fires involving rubber are often difficult to extinguish, according to the media release.

The fire department is concerned about the toxicity of the smoke.

"Fortunately, the plume is travelling in a direction that does not impact any populated areas," the fire department said in the statement, adding fire crews will monitor the situation overnight.

Contaminated runoff is contained to the site to minimize environmental impact.

According to its website, Shercom Industries recycles rubber, specifically scrap tires.