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Fire started at Regina’s landfill

Aug 18, 2011 | 6:48 AM

A fire started on the hill at the Regina landfill Wednesday afternoon, but Albert Headrick with the Regina Fire Department said it was under control.

“These kinds of fires — what you have to do — is pretty well smother them with sand. That’s what (fire crews) are doing (Wednesday afternoon),” said Headrick.

It's not known how it started, but Headrick says some discarded product may have ignited, or someone could have thrown a lit cigarette.

Brent Rostad, with the City of Regina, says the fire started around 3 p.m. where the majority of commercial companies dump their trucks. Around 5:15 p.m. the fire covered an area roughly 20 feet by 50 feet.

Because it's a landfill, Rostad says they'll never know the cause.

“Just be careful with what goes into the garbage. If there is anything hot or smoldering this could be the result,” said Rostad.

He says the fire probably wouldn't be completely extinguished until late Wednesday night because crews have to smother it with dirt and sand. But once it is out, Rostad says the site will be monitored throughout the night.

The landfill was open until 7 p.m. Wednesday, but was closed in the area of the blaze. However, people were asked to stay away from the site unless necessary.

news@panow.com