Some Schomberg businesses, roads remain closed day after massive fire at plant
There are no current public safety concerns for residents, businesses in area
Yorkregion.com
Dec. 11, 2019
Sheila Wang
A dozen businesses and portions of two roads in Schomberg remain closed Dec. 10, the day after a massive fire broke out at a manufacturing plant.
Fire crews are on site monitoring a couple of hot spots after keeping the main fire under control at the Aerospace Metal Finishing plant on Proctor Road, on the east side of Hwy. 27, south of Hwy. 9, near the Trisan Centre recreation complex.
Portions of Proctor and Dillane Drive adjacent to the site remain closed to accommodate the operational needs of the fire department.
Trisan Centre is also closed for the day.
Most roads that were closed Dec. 9 have now been reopened, including hwys. 9 and 27.
The blaze broke out in the early morning of Dec. 9, when nearby businesses were evacuated due to concerns that toxic chemicals could be burning inside the building, police said.
There are no current concerns for residents or businesses in the area. Air quality testing by provincial officials confirms no threats to public safety, according to a press release from King Township Dec. 10.
An excavation crew has arrived at the scene, beginning to pull down the exterior of the building in order to reach the interior.
“It’s gonna take some time, though, because there were many dangerous chemicals in that building," King Township spokesperson Jason Ballantyne said. "I don’t have a complete full picture as to exactly what was in there."
The township does not have an estimate on the cost of the damage as of Dec. 10, the spokesperson said.
The Ontario Fire Marshal is currently investigating the cause of the fire.
Ballantyne thanked residents for their patience and asked people to stay out of the area so that the crews can move on to the next phase of the work.
The Schomberg community has offered great support to the firefighters, from providing free meals to cash donations, he said.
