Calgary auto recycling yard fire under investigation by Arson unit

CALGARY (Scrap Monster): Calgary Police Service Arson Unit has started investigating into the massive fire that hit a Calgary auto recycling depot located in an Industrial Park at 28th Street and 5th Avenue N.E. around 1 a.m. Thursday morning. According to investigators, the fire is being considered suspicious.

Firefighters were called to the facility around 1 a.m. on Thursday. Several small explosions were heard. The fire had destroyed several buildings and cars in the premises. However, the fire was contained from spreading into nearby buildings. A second alarm was called to prevent the fire from spreading.

According to Calgary Fire Department, the fire crews encountered fire in two buildings within the premise. Several cars were also on fire. So the incident was upgraded to a second alarm for additional firefighters and equipment. The fire was brought under control within an hour.

The damage to the buildings was substantial and one building has collapsed. A firefighter, who suffered minor hand injury while fighting the fire, was treated on scene and later taken to nearby hospital. No other injuries were reported.

As of Thursday afternoon, crews are unable to confirm whether anybody was inside the buildings when the fire started, as firefighters are still unable to carry out searching in the building interiors.

The fire is considered suspicious and the Calgary Police Service arson unit has been called to investigate. Arson detectives have already begun investigating into the fire incident.

During last week, a fire had destroyed building belonging to Folk Automotive in the 4200 block of 16A Street SE. Timely intervention by firefighters had prevented the fire from spreading to other buildings on either side. A used oil container was damaged due to fire and oil had leaked out of the building into the storm water drain, thereby polluting the Bow River. Estimates suggested that around 100 gallons of oil had leaked from the container. An investigation is on into the incident, sources said. They added that no one was in the building when the fire broke out.

Also, another large fire was reported at a woodworking shop in southwest Calgary on July 22^nd evening. Nobody was hurt in the fire at 13 Avenue and 85 Street S.W, confirmed Calgary Fire Department. The extent of the damage is being analyzed and the fire remains under investigation, said CalgaryFire Chief Geoff Thornley.