Fire crews battle a fire at a Taber electronics recycler, May 6, 2022 (Photo: LNN)

By Drew Stremick

High winds fan blaze at Taber electronics recycling facility

May 7, 2022 | 10:16 AM

TABER, AB — Fire crews worked to extinguish a stubborn blaze at Technotrash Alberta in Taber.

At approximately 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 6, 2022, thick black smoke was billowing from the yard of the facility and flames were seen reaching heights of 20 feet, as fire crews attacked the fire from multiple vantage points.

High wind speeds were making it difficult for crews to extinguish the flames. However, the fire was under control at last word.

Workers from a neighbouring business assisted fire crews by removing concrete barriers so firefighters could get to the fire from another angle, and by removing other materials in the yard that could have added fuel to the fire.

Taber Fire Chief Steve Munshaw says the investigation into what started the fire is ongoing.

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“The fire is still under investigation. This fire is at a recycling plant that recycles product, everything from mattresses to commercial TVs,” Munshaw said. “It doesn’t look like it’s mischievous inaction or or malicious intent.”

Chief Munshaw noted because the facility was surrounded by shipping containers and concrete barriers, gaining access to the fire itself was difficult.

“Limited access into the storage compound made it very challenging at the recycling depot,” says Munshaw.

Some of the problems of accessing the fire were made easier by a quick thinking equipment operator at a nearby business.

“The business owner himself was assisting with the heavy equipment that he had on site,” said Munshaw. “He was able to assist us by opening up these walls [concrete blocks]. The barricade was quite challenging to get through, but we were able to work together.”

Munshaw said there were other factors that also made battling this blaze a challenge.

“The wind did have a influence on this fire as we were hitting into 50 and 60 kilometer an hour winds. However we were able to, and [are] still able to, access it from an elevated water stream which assisted us greatly on this fire.”

Billowing smoke and flames can be seen at the fire in Taber, May 6, 2022 (Photo: LNN)

In order to make sure the fire stayed under control despite the strong winds, Chief Munshaw says his department called in another station to lend a hand.

“We called assistance from the MD of Taber Regional. They supplied one fire engine and a crew. It’s a great support and great working partnership.”

Chief Munshaw expects the investigation into how the fire started to extend over the weekend.