Task Force Released Report on Saint John Metal Recycling Plant Fire

The report also cited contamination of air and water at the site and suggested further testing.

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The task force investigating the massive fire at the American Iron and Metal (AIM) scrap metal yard in Saint John, New Brunswick. The fire incident was reported at the facility on 14^th September, 2023. The task force that examined the fire comprised of independent fire and engineering experts.

According to the report presented by Justice Minister and Attorney General Ted Flemming, the examination put forward a dozen findings in connection with the incident.

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As per report, several scrap metal piles at the facility were more than two times of the permitted size. The city lacked enough water and fire resources to respond to enormous fire like the one reported at the facility. The report also cited contamination of air and water at the site and suggested further testing.

Flemming noted that the fire at the AIM facility was sparked by rechargeable lithium ion batteries. It took around 22 million gallons of water to fight the fire. Around 19 million gallons were taken from the sea, which was pumped by the J.D. Irving Limited ship “Atlantic Osprey”.

The report warned that the scrap metal yard poses health and safety risks to Saint John residents and that there is a high likelihood of future fires on the site.

Currently, authorities have suspended AIM’s approval to operate. A final decision on restarting operations at the facility is pending from authorities.  

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