The Fire Marshall’s Office and the Department of Environment, Energy and Forestry provided an update today on conditions at the construction and demolition (C&D) disposal site in Hazelbrook.
Site operators Maintenance Services Limited advised provincial officials Thursday that there were flames onsite at one point that morning. Fire Marshall Dave Blacquiere responded to the call and is continuing to investigate. At this point, he said it appears that an excavator working on the site unearthed a small pocket of methane gas which was ignited by a spark from the excavator bucket.
The Fire Marshall determined in January that a fire that began at the Hazelbrook C&D site in December was the result of arson. The fire appeared to be contained in December but moved underground and flared up in early January. It was extinguished January 12. Mr. Blacquiere said Thursday there continues to be no evidence of fire underground.
Both the Fire Marshall’s Office and the Department of Environment, Energy and Forestry have been monitoring the site closely since early January and continue to do so in cooperation with the site operators.
Minister of Environment, Energy and Forestry Jamie Ballem visited the site with environment officials Thursday afternoon. Minister Ballem said the Province has been in contact with a Canadian company which has expertise in C&D operations and fires at C&D disposal sites. As soon as he is available, an official from the company will be brought to the province.
Minister Ballem said the company will confer with the Fire Marshall’s Office on the situation at Hazelbrook and will also be asked to meet with the Provincial Environmental Advisory Council and other interested groups to share his expertise on C&D operations. The Environmental Advisory Council is currently carrying out a comprehensive review of the Environmental Protection Act Waste Resource Management Regulations which govern C&D disposal sites.