Fire destroys Churchill's junkyard – Winnipeg Free Press

A massive fire destroyed Churchill's only months-old waste storage facility, when the ground was too frozen to bury.

The blaze at the city's L5 waste transfer station started last Thursday evening and continued to burn on Tuesday.

The building also has a community recycling program.

“It's a total loss,” Environment and Climate Change Minister Tracey Schmidt said.

“We understand the fire is under control and everyone is safe.”

Schmidt said he and other provincial officials have spoken with the mayor and municipal staff several times a day since the fire started.

A team from the Department of Environment visited the community.

“We're working very closely … we know Churchill has unique challenges because of the remoteness of the community,” he said.

Churchill Mayor Mike Spence said he was glad no one was hurt. The facility is covered by insurance.

“It's all hands on deck to find some solutions,” he said.

“We're a very eco-friendly community and we know we're a tourist destination for international exposure … you have to deal with the environment, the wildlife.”

Spence said landfilling is among the short-term measures being considered, even though the ground is still frozen.

“We have a dump site and we're digging it up and burying it, but of course we can't do that at this time of year,” he said.

“(But) it's fenced off, so (until the ground melts) … one of the things we're looking at is covering it so the wind doesn't blow in and the birds don't get in.” We always take the environment into account — it's very important as a tourist destination.”

Spence said officials are considering a long-term solution that doesn't involve rebuilding the damaged facility.

“We had an open house last year in terms of looking at other options like gasification and incineration,” he said.

Gasification is a process that converts organic or fossil-based materials into carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide at high temperatures without combustion. Waste can be converted into heat fuel and electricity.

“This is an act. We know we're going to work to get where we want to go,” Spence said.

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Kevin Rollason
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Kevin Rollason is one of the most versatile reporters at the Winnipeg Free Press. Whether it covers city hall, the courts, or general reporting, you can count on Rollason to not only answer the 5 Ws—who, what, when, where, and why—but to do so in an engaging and accessible way for readers. .

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